Story archive for December 2001

Monday, Dec. 31

• Obituaries for Dec. 31, 2001

• Holiday retail sales mixed

• Preparing to party

• Editorial: Celebrate the New Year, but responsibly

• Analysis: Two years after Putin's rise, Russia has veered toward West

• Time to prepare

Sunday, Dec. 30

• 2001: A year filled with drama

• BCA agent testifies in Caron hearing

• Going to a bar New Year's Eve? Take a cab, it is free

• Top local story of 2001

• 2001 saw some great developments too

• Country duo will help Albert Lea ring in the new year

• Taking bowling to the limit

• Xtreme

• A batch of facts

• Panthers go 0-2 at Blue Earth

• Bouncing back

• Tigers take consolation crown at Worthington

• Obituaries for Dec. 30, 2001

• Contractor, Workforce Center team up to offer training

Friday, Dec. 28

• Column: Remembering life in the Triple-C and riding the rails

• Rebels keep pace for a half

• Just call them 'Champs'

• ALHS girls fall in tourney final

• Obituaries for Dec. 28, 2001

• Petition drive for new referendum halfway to goal

• Elected county officials to get a 3 percent raise

• Jobless rate stays steady locally

• Foundation starts massive drive to solicit donations

• Sled for four

• Editorial: Simple view of education is inaccurate

Thursday, Dec. 27

• Column: An organized household stays just out of my reach

• At play for the holidays

• Obituaries for Dec. 27, 2001

• Despite hassles, Glenville builds back up

• County employees will take job classification issue to district court

• Early on the ice - too early?

• Editorial: Make safety in the snow your priority

Wednesday, Dec. 26

• Holiday of service

• Albert Lea's No. 1 son

• Obituaries for Dec. 26, 2001

• City council OKs 15-minute parking stalls on Clark

• Column: Exaggerating about seasons is as Minnesotan as it gets

Monday, Dec. 24

• Editorial: Merry Christmas

• B PeeWees hockey team opens season with a win

• Obituaries for Dec. 24, 2001

• Residents challenge county's refusal to classify land as park

• Cuts will make block scheduling a challenge

• White Christmas after all

• Column: County lake planning process is advancing nicely

Saturday, Dec. 22

• Panthers shock No. 6 WEM

• ALHS matmen split triangular

• Best start ever gets better for G-E boys' basketball team

• B-squad basketball boys start season 3-3

• Defendant in IPI arson asks for rehabilitation program instead of prison sentence

• Robberies shut down rural Americana branches

• Couple lights up Christmas

• Musical cuts

• Tale of the American conquerors has similarities to today

• How the Legion, firefighters helped Santa

• Batt: Dove brings message that needed to be heard

• Magnificent display

Friday, Dec. 21

• Column: Incredible Christmas edibles and the mince meat mystery

• ALHS swimmers stay unbeaten in duals

• ALHS icemen stun Spartans

• ALHS girls slip past Mayo in overtime

• Obituaries for Dec. 21, 2001

• Sports on a shoestring

• Church makes new beginning with new name

• Small community drew new pastor to Alden

• Holidays around the world

• Editorial: Courthouse plans shaping up positively

Thursday, Dec. 20

• Food drive

• Holiday tourney time

• Obituaries for Dec. 20, 2001

• Newcomer Center in jeopardy after state grant denied

• DNR will add access to Upper Twin Lake

• Building upgrades are in store for Alden-Conger

• 'Au revoir' to programs

• Column: Christmas is what you make it; so make it special

Wednesday, Dec. 19

• County closing in on plan

• No. 4 Waseca pulls away from Tigers in second half

• Swimmers rally past Northfield

• Albert Lea girls ice Fairmont

• Albert Lea basketball girls come from behind

• Obituaries for Dec. 19, 2001

• Stuck deer in lake creates excitement

• Elementary programs will stay intact after cuts, but class sizes will grow

• Business center primed for spring 2002 opening

• A vanishing landmark

• Editorial: Setback should not halt effort for preservation

• Column: Christmas is a time for food, gifts and much more

• Huge 109-year-old building will meet the wrecking ball sometime next year

Tuesday, Dec. 18

• December sandbox

• USC 4th, A-C 8th at Maple River tournament

• Column: Will hiding behind safety really make us feel safer?

• The secret is out

• Blades take a pair from Quad Cities

• Obituaries for Dec. 18, 2001

• What will be cut

• Editorial: Foundation's idea is right on the money

• School levy falls 57 percent

• Non-profit group will raise money to keep programs alive

• County considers $28 million 2002 budget proposal

• Axe falls on school programs

Monday, Dec. 17

• Q and A

• In harmony for Christmas

• Enjoying the mild Christmas of 1931

• Column: Abuses make letters to editor a poisonous presence

• Column: Betting on a new stadium?

• Column: Cutting back on waste starts at the store

• Column: A gift of giving this Christmas season

• Bringing the Christmas spirit to St. John's

• District 241 administrators scarce, busy

• Farmland records net loss of $90 million

• Power 96 now locally owned

• Cuts may be on the table tonight

• Obituaries for Dec. 16, 2001

• Obituaries for Dec. 17, 2001

• ALHS boys hang on at Faribault

• Almost an upset

• Roger Goerish, longtime area high school coach, dies at 57

• Wolverines rally for tournament victory

• Bulldogs take four firsts in tourney

• Elseth, Hansen first at Faribault

• G-E boys fifth in tourney

Friday, Dec. 14

• Column: Answering the Townsend question, plus Cedric's challenge

• ALHS swimmers save their best for last

• Rough and tumble triumph

• ALHS girls drop a tough one

• Clean sweep

• Obituaries for Dec. 14, 2001

• County ends talk of joint court, jail

• Carols for kids

• Editorial: Increase in gas tax worth considering

Thursday, Dec. 13

• Editorial: Flu shots are a wise choice

• All-conference girls

• All-conference boys

• Obituaries for Dec. 13, 2001

• Purdie pleads not guilty to Woodgrains arson

• City groups concerned about plans

• Three arrested for breaking into Farmland

• Taking care of business

• Column: Accuracy is a virtue, but can be an inexact science

Wednesday, Dec. 12

• Guest column: When senators run for governor

• Kinsella, Rockets too strong for Tigers

• End-to-end domination

• G-E girls fall to Lyle/Pacelli

• ALHS hockey boys blank Faribault

• ALHS basketball girls upended at JM

• Obituaries for Dec. 12, 2001

• Dorman hoping to persuade payment of state back taxes

• County may demolish Western Grocery

• From Belize to Albert Lea, couple says they want to help kids

• Spreading Christmas cheer

• Column: Holiday brings the yearly ordeal that is oyster stew

Tuesday, Dec. 11

• Council sets 2002 budget, tax levy

• JV tennis awards

• Ride the wave

• Blades take a pair at Dubuque

• Obituaries for Dec. 11, 2001

• Williams says new policy discourages drug use

• Skate park organizers say first year was a success

• City ready to force demolition

• Caron's lawyer to examine medical records

• Cars catch fire

• Editorial: Ventura will need to change his tactics now

• Column: Intersection of three faiths reminds us to be tolerant

Monday, Dec. 10

• Column: United Way getting near its fund-raising goal for the year

• Column: Budget-cutting could be a challenge for Riverland

• ALHS wrestlers fourth at Waseca

• Riverland hoops teams suffer through a tough weekend

• Tips for kids

• City to consider getting tough with Farmland

• Music in the mall

Saturday, Dec. 8

• No. 1 in service

• Column: Solving Minnesota's $2 billion problem

• That's a lot of bears

• Column: Old tree has seen better days, but it serves purpose

• Finding inspirations for Santa's wish list (Second of two parts.)

• Tips for feeding feathered friends

• It's a bear of a business

• Big Nine trouble

• Scarlet struggle

• Obituaries for Dec. 8, 2001

• Attorneys voice concerns

• County to consider aerator in channel

• State honors Opdahl as its top volunteer

Friday, Dec. 7

• Upset bid falls short for ALHS wrestlers

• The Milk Can stays at ALHS

• ALHS icemen fall to Lourdes

• Obituaries for Dec. 7, 2001

• Freeborn County sheriff elected president of Minnesota Sheriff's Association

• City losing patience with Farmland

• Crossroads Motors closes, but may reopen with new ownership

• Where's the wrecking ball?

• Column: Maybe it's time to revive the 'Clean Plate Club'

Thursday, Dec. 6

• Column: Hard-gotten bicycle unlocked door to adventure

• Tonight's the night

• Riverland men overwhelm Roadrunners

• Obituaries for Dec. 6, 2001

• Parents asked to be vigilant

• AL Only Deals one of many to close

• Legion plans special Dec. 7 exhibit

• Housing program geared toward younger residents

• What to watch for

• Editorial: Farmland must give Albert Lea an answer

Wednesday, Dec. 5

• Editorial: Preparing for terrorism is a prudent step

• Wolverines top Knights

• Up to the challenge

• ALHS boys stun Owatonna

• ALHS girls struggle at Owatonna

• Obituaries for Dec. 5, 2001

• Young kids hardest hit

• New programs prompt hike in solid-waste fee

• Kiddie Christmas

• Column: The empty tank, the bedpan and the town pastor

Tuesday, Dec. 4

• Home opener

• Boosting basketball

• Blades blast Austin, run record to 7-1

• 12-and-under girls win big

• Obituaries for Dec. 4, 2001

• Chamber recognizes Tienda Mexico

• New system to improve inter-county communication

• School will cut $1.1 million, tap reserves

• Local Christian music group releases second original CD

• First cut approved: 400 students to be affected by busing reduction

• Editorial: Joint Mower, Freeborn court not best plan

• Column: Society appears less inclined to make room for faith

Monday, Dec. 3

• Drug awareness on agenda

• Tourney tough

• Tigers wait patiently, then blank Windom

• School board to start considering teacher, program cuts tonight

• Column: Inching closer to goal

• Editorial: Schools already pay the price for special ed

• Relief picture

• Birthday compassion

Saturday, Dec. 1

• The Grinch makes a pitch

• Study: Jail size must double

• Local couple releases jazzy Christmas CD

• School scribes fret program's fate

• So close

• Obituaries for Dec. 2, 2001

• Wolverines get on track at Medford, Knights can't contain 4th-rated JWP

• Bantams 2nd in tourney

• What more can we expect from a sport run by fools?

• ALHS boys hold off USC

• Lethal luau

• December

• Using the 'wish book' for Santa's list

• It's a mystery!

• Grinch visits