Tuesday, December 29, 2009
EXTRA CREDIT
Pequot Lakes Middle School announced its first quarter students of excellence. They include Barbara Miller and Alexander Becker, sixth grade; Karl Satterlund and Colleen Tschida, seventh grade; and Courtney Skluzacek and Steve Vankleeck, eighth grade.
POLICE BLOTTER
ARREST - Arrested a 48-year-old man on outstanding warrants and other criminal/traffic violations following a traffic stop at 7:28 p.m. Sunday at Excelsior Road and Golf Course Drive.
Empowerment: An Exploration of Human Possibilities
Looking for a different approach to setting New Year's resolutions? On Jan. 12, Unlimited Learning presents Bob Passi, on the topic of Empowerment: An Exploration of Human Possibilities. The class, which will be 1:30-3:30 p.m. at Hallett Community Center in Crosby, is open to the public.
Snow totals adding up in area
Area residents still were digging out Sunday from the winter storm that rolled across the area in several waves Thursday through Saturday.
CORRECTION
A story on Page 5A in Sunday's Dispatch on weather-related accidents should have stated that Riley Bach, 17, Walker, was a girl.
Man who saved people from burning house honored
Marvin Schmaltz, of rural Brainerd, was recently honored by Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl for saving the lives of a dozen people in a house fire on April 17.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1989)
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 29 - 40 years ago (1969) - (Adv.) Crisp Head of Lettuce - 19 cents; U. S. Choice New York Steak - $1.99 pound; Del Monte Tuna - 3 cans $1.00; Bread - 1-1/2 lb. loaf 31 cents; Schaefer's Model Market - Brainerd and Nisswa.
Skiing is believing
When John VanderLinden was in fifth grade, he told his grandmother that when he grew up, he wanted to be a ski instructor.
Overheard
If everyone was responsible for their pet we wouldn't have to be in this situation.
Dog ordinance set to expire
Crow Wing County's dog ordinance has three more days before it expires with 2009.
Winter wonder
Fresh snow was still piled on branches as the lights of a home in Unorganized Territory lit the route home through the fresh snow near Merrifield on Saturday night. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
LOCAL BRIEFS
PINE RIVER - The Central Region Clean Energy Resource Team will meet from 9 a.m. to noon Jan. 6 at the Hunt Utilities Group Research Campus in Pine River to learn how the city is planning and implementing the GreenStep Cities program.
Phyllis Lyback
WAHKON - Phyllis Lyback, 88-year-old resident of Wahkon, Minn., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at the Mille Lacs Long Term Care Center in Onamia, Minn.
Burnice I. Raddatz
Burnice Irene (Flansburg) Raddatz was born on June 15, 1923, in Brainerd, Minn., to the late Charles and Flora (Meyer) Flansburg.
Dickman C. Knutson
Dickman C. Knutson, 82, Brainerd, passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Ruby J. Moffit
BEMIDJI - Ruby J. Moffit, 101, of Bemidji, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at the North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji, Minn. Private family services are planned. Arrangements are entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Home of Baxter.
Roman J. Czech
FLENSBURG - Roman J. Czech, 84, of Flensburg, Minn., died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009, at home.
Dickman C. Knutson
Dickman Charles Knutson, 82, Brainerd, passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village, Brainerd. Dickman was born Nov. 5, 1927, in Princeton, Minn., to Isaac and Gunhild (Renback) Knutson. Dickman graduated from Princeton High School in Princeton, Minn., and served in the United States Army during World War II and attended St. Cloud Teachers College in St. Cloud, Minn.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 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.
Frank Schirmers
BUCKMAN - Frank Schirmers, 54-year-old resident of Buckman, Minn., died Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, in Pierz, Minn., surrounded by his family and friends.
Margaret V. Tschida
PIERZ - Margaret V. Tschida, 83-year-old resident of Pierz, Minn., passed away Friday, Dec. 25, 2009, in Little Falls, Minn.
Lois L. Wheeler
Lois Lorraine Wheeler, 80
Lane Wiggs
EMILY - Lane Wiggs, 70, Emily, died Dec. 25, 2009, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis.
Vicki Saterbak
Vicki Saterbak, of Brainerd, died Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home of Baxter.
Carolyn Carlson
CROSSLAKE - Carolyn Carlson, age 66, of Crosslake, passed away Saturday evening, Dec. 26, 2009, at her home.
George E. Smith
PEQUOT LAKES - George E. Smith, 96, Pequot Lakes, passed away Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, in Pequot Lakes.
Carol J. Hoff
Carol J. Hoff, age 65, of Brainerd, passed away late Thursday night at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Carol J. Hoff
Carol J. Hoff, 65, of Brainerd, passed away late Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at St. Cloud Hospital. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009, at Zion Lutheran Church in Brainerd. Friends are welcome to gather from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2009, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter and also for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
Mary K. Jorgensen
PIERZ - Mary K. Jorgensen, 63, Pierz, died Dec. 25, 2009.
Carolyn J. Carlson
CROSSLAKE - Carolyn J. Carlson, 66, of Crosslake, died at her home Saturday, Dec. 26, 2009. A Mass of Christian Burial is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake with Father Michael Patullo officiating. Friends are welcome to gather Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake and Thursday morning one hour prior to services at the church. Interment will be in Swanburg Cemetery in Timothy Township.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 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.
Leon D. Holmstrom
NISSWA - Leon Duane Holmstrom, age 74, of Nisswa, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, surrounded by loving family members at his home. A memorial service for Leon is planned at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31, at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa, followed by an interment in the church's Memorial Garden columbarium. Friends may call an hour before the service. Leon will be missed by his family and friends, who will remember him for his love, kindness, compassion and generosity.
Agnes Wallberg
LITTLE FALLS - Agnes Wallberg, 99-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Oct. 14, 2009, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls, Minn.
Open Forum: Franken should resign from Senate
This morning, my first order of business to was a call to Al Franken at his St. Paul office.
VOX POP
Yesterday I left my purse in the cart at Walmart when I loaded my groceries. I did not miss it until my next stop. I went back to Walmart and all the carts where I had left mine were gone. I went inside to the information desk and asked if they had seen it. Bryn, who brings in the carts, had found it and brought it in to the desk. I was very relieved. I had envisioned spending the rest of the day canceling credit cards, etc. Thank you, Bryn.
GAMC users don't have a lobbyist
In 1975, the Legislature passed General Assistance Medical Care, (GAMC). As chairman of the Health and Human Service Funding Committee I was author of the legislation. GAMC was established to provide health insurance for the lowest income individuals in our state. It was also meant to help out counties, hospitals and doctors in absorbing the cost of their health care. The program covers individuals without children between the ages of 21 to 64 who do not qualify for any other health care program.
Long-term care concerns
An estimated 10 million elderly and disabled Americans need some sort of long-term care and help with the tasks of daily living. That number will grow as America ages.
OTHER OPINION: RECYCLING
The recycling truck's near, are you listening, On the curb the plastic and glass are glistening, A beautiful sight, we're recycling tonight, Walking in an eco-friendly land.
Health care's other numbers game
In June, a long time ago in politics, Democrats in the Senate were briefly jubilant. For the first time in a generation, they held 60 seats, the supermajority required to control the body's proceedings. The road to enacting President Barack Obama's center-left agenda looked, for a moment, almost smooth.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
Something good, something rotten
WASHINGTON - The health care reform bill coming out of the Senate presents a real dilemma for spectators: How do you applaud while holding your nose?
Open Forum
Over this holiday season, I've been fortunate to spend time at a variety of local volunteer opportunities, including ringing the bell for the Salvation Army. On every occasion, I noticed something remarkable - despite more families than ever facing economic challenges, generosity and goodwill towards those who have even less remains strong. It is clear people in our area understand that by sharing with others, all of our burdens are eased.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Your guide to the holiday slowdown
You've had your fill of Christmas goodness, but a few in-laws decided to stay a few more days.
Area boys' hockey scores
ST. CLOUD - Little Falls goalie Carl Anderson recorded 28 saves to shutout the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles 4-0 Monday in the opening round of the Granite City Classic.
Warrior invite canceled
The Brainerd Warriors boys' swimming and diving invitational scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday as been canceled due to pump problems.
River Lakes tops Patriots
RICHMOND - Emily Erickson scored the lone goal for the Pequot Lakes Patriots who lost to River Lakes 6-1 Monday in the first round of the Rocori tournament.
Area boys' basketball scores
AITKIN - Nick Sundholm drained four 3-pointers and finished with 26 points to lead the Aitkin Gobblers to their first win of the season - a 70-61 victory over Hill City in Monday's first round of the Aitkin Quarterback's Club Holiday tournament.
Area girls' basketball roundup
CROOKSTON - Emily Lueck had a game-high 27 points and Mattie Lueck added 13 as the Pequot Lakes Patriots ousted the host Crookston Pirates 73-69 in the first round of the Crookston tournament Monday.
Mimmack, Warriors blank Fargo South in tourney
ROCHESTER - Reid Mimmack and the Brainerd Warriors stonewalled Fargo South for a 2-0 victory Monday in the Class 2A division quarterfinals of the Kiwanis/Wells Fargo Festival at Graham Arena in Rochester.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy this morning with patchy fog and
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Clear to partly cloudy except mostly cloudy early southeast. Highs in the teens east to the 30s southwest.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 13 to 23.
State forecast for Minnesota
.Tonight...Becoming partly cloudy. Isolated snow showers east.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Sunny...Then increasing clouds west in the afternoon.
State forecast for S.D.
Tonight...Clear to partly cloudy. Lows mainly single digits above zero.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Sunny. Highs in the teens to around 20.
Home for the holidays
Weather drawing by Ellen Hickman of Mr. Meyer's fourth-grade class at Lowell Elementary.
Snowman territory
Weather drawing by Jasmine Schwartz of Mrs. Meyer's third-grade class at Harrison School.
State forecast for N.D.
.Tonight...Partly cloudy in the evening then increasing clouds.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Lake effect snow advisory for iron county through monday...
State forecast for Iowa
.Tonight...Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries and patchy light