Story archive for January 2003

Saturday, Feb. 1

• Untitled Document Sparks tours EXOL By Michael

• Author Tom Hegg to speak at House of Hope benefit

• EXOL lobbies to keep subsidies

• City council makes effort to become more accessible

• Just in time for Valentine's Day, ACT stages romantic comedy

• Space shuttle Columbia disintegrates into flames

• Russell Oliver Schwen, 95, Albert Lea

• Louis Belshan Jr., 91, Austin

• Area deaths for Sunday, Feb. 2, 2003

• Appointment of Merriam as DNR chief draws praise

• Shooting slump sinks ALHS basketball girls

• ALHS hockey girls win 5-0 at Mayo

• ALHS matmen dominate Big Nine dual, 63-6

• District concerned about proposed salary changes

• Meet the 'Talley's Folly' stage manager

• Edgewater: the transition from junkyard to city park

• Birding in Texas

• Guest column: First weeks of session already getting hectic

• Guest column: Planning for next year is underway

• Column: Can you imagine if sports champions said things like this?

• Untitled Document Tigers take it to

Friday, Jan. 31

• Untitled Document Tigers rule in the

• 4th-quarter free throws sink ALHS boys at West

• 12-and-under girls win tournament

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 31 - Feb. 1

• ALHS swimmers stay undefeated

• OT goal lifts hockey Tigers past Mayo

• No obituaries for Friday, Jan. 31.

• Area deaths for Friday, Jan. 31, 2003

• Retreat will try to sculpt better leaders

• Arts groups get blueprint for advocacy

• Tope tries to back out of his plea deal

• Wood is good for carvers in latest art center exhibit

• NRHEG's Ferber gets coaching award

• Column: Recalling Bert Skinner and the creation of Edgewater Park

• Untitled Document Dangerous driving By Michael Martin,

Thursday, Jan. 30

• Edward Wilbur Moore, 94, Hollandale

• Cheer team starts competitive season with sights on state

• Area deaths for Thursday, Jan. 30, 2003

• Victoria F. (Sippel) Shaw, 91, Austin

• John H. 'Hughie' Courtney, 76, Freedom Township

• Amber Ann (Kruse) Sorenson, 93, Albert Lea

• Acosta pleads guilty in 2000 bar stabbing

• Member of countywide burglary ring convicted

• Courthouse camera goes on line in two weeks

• Students flex their spelling muscles

• Weekend Planner: School auction, council event among events

• Column: Don't let lure of sandwiches lead to financial gullibility

• Editorial: State should repeal deadline for contracts

• Untitled Document Courthouse cam By Michael Martin,

Wednesday, Jan. 29

• Untitled Document Snow a-flyin' By Michael Martin,

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 30 - Feb. 1

• 12 wrestlers advance to freshman state tournament

• Shorthanded hockey Tigers come up big

• Albert Lea hockey girls hold off Faribault

• ALHS boys complete sweep of Owatonna

• Area deaths for Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003

• Martin S. Olson, 90, Albert Lea

• Gutknecht gets key spot on ag-related House body

• Study will close only part of Edgewater Park

• Column: Warm temperatures and odd sights found in Lone Star State

• Editorial: Bush must produce more proof of danger

Tuesday, Jan. 28

• City outlaws leaf burning

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 28 - Feb. 1

• Blades survive a rough one

• Albert Lea cheerleaders place fifth in competition

• Youth wrestlers win tourney

• Area deaths for Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003

• Harold Sherwood, 66, Lake Mills, Iowa

• Ronald Charles Wilson, 67, Austin

• Consultant will attempt to expand historic district

• Key suspect in 2002 pizza driver assault flees

• Around 60 gather to reflect on possible war in Iraq

• Column: Animal-control situation an accident waiting to happen

Monday, Jan. 27

• Column: Computer equipment can have you running in circles

• ALHS girls' hockey team tops Mankato

• Untitled Document A waiting ear in

• Wrestling Tigers win Hayfield Invitational

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 27 - Feb. 1

• Area deaths for Monday, Jan. 27, 2003

• Local sales tax looking at long odds this year

• Gary Williams helps victims of crime

• Editorial: Dim outlook for sales tax may redirect debate

• Untitled Document Still winning By Christine V.

Saturday, Jan. 25

• Bert Skinner, the city's 'creative merchant' (Second of two parts)

• Basketball Tigers struggle against Century

• ALHS basketball girls show progress at Century

• Albert Lea 14-year-old rolls 300 game in league competition

• Winter getting you down? Take the cabin fever survey

• 12-and-under hockey girls take second in tourney

• Area deaths for Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003

• Helen Marie Nelson, 71, Lyle

• Charles W. (Tommy) King, 85, Albert Lea

• Police search school for drugs

• Conger woman's pet parrots say the darnedest things

• Supporters urged to mobilize, protect arts

• More buildings could receive historic label

• Local groups plan peace gathering for Monday

• Diverse experiences take place in a small part of our world

• Al Batt's Q and A

• Toying with the past

• Guest column: District preparing for all-day kindergarten

• Guest column: First part of budget fix almost complete

• Column: Comparing Saddam to Hitler has some merit, some problems

• Untitled Document Ahead of schedule Matt Kaiser

• Untitled Document Conversational critters By Dylan Belden,

Friday, Jan. 24

• Untitled Document Tigers send Packers packing By

• ALHS icemen double their fun

• Albert Lea matmen annihilate Austin

• A Bantams hockey team ties arch-rival Austin

• B-squad basketball Tigers win back-to-back

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 24 - 25

• Area deaths for Friday, Jan. 24, 2003

• Josephine O. Lockrem, 90, Alden

• Arthur Gunnarson, 89, Rochester

• Duane Ronald Langerud, 72, Lake Mills, Iowa

• Helen Marie Van Hove, 69, Leland, Iowa

• Melvin A. Wacholz, 80, Glenville

• Agnes Hedensten, 98, Albert Lea

• Farmland demolition progressing on schedule

• Feb. 1 deadline for watershed progress looms

• Chamber says Hamersly a natural choice for job

• Tiger's owner could be charged for mistreatment

• Column: Lt. Albert Lea had the thrill of naming much of the landscape

Thursday, Jan. 23

• Column: Weather-related stories can truly be stranger than fiction

• Gene Van Wilgen, Garden Grove, Calif.

• Leonard J. Everett, 77, Albert Lea

• Area deaths for Thursday, Jan. 23, 2003

• Marlin Dean Thompson, 66, Albert Lea

• Esther C. Yeadon, 82, Albert Lea

• Harold J. Zimmerman, 73, Albert Lea

• Harlan Knatvold, 71, Edmond, Okla.

• Authorities on the lookout for recycling thieves

• Convict nabbed for cheating on drug test

• Eagles hope to improve on $110,000 in cancer funds raised

• Weekend Planner: Teddy bears on tap this weekend

• Untitled Document Knights home tonight By Christine

Wednesday, Jan. 22

• ALHS hockey boys win big

• ALHS hockey girls hold off Waseca

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 23 - 25

• Basketball Tigers handle Fairmont, 73-53

• Tigers swim past Mankato East, 101-81

• Alice E. Peterson, 83, Scarville, Iowa

• Andrew Paul Larson, 19, Mantorville

• Willard M. Kuethe, 95, Albert Lea

• Area deaths for Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2003

• Proposal made to keep '54 building

• All day every day kindergarten starts this fall

• County discusses wild animal policy

• Prinzing election sign case rescheduled

• County busts meth lab in Myrtle

• Column: A couple small surprises in life can really make you think

• Untitled Document Almost a record By Michael

• Untitled Document Lining the sewers By Michael

Tuesday, Jan. 21

• Untitled Document A call for togetherness By

• Clifford Bell, 94, North Branch

• Area deaths for Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003

• Clarice O. Kalke, 86, New Richland

• Diane L. Broitzman, 55, Glenville

• Rene Waalkens, 85, Albert Lea

• Community observes spirit of civil-rights movement

• Family member: Seized tiger was not mistreated

• School orchestra program's size, opportunities growing

• Column: Has cursive handwriting outlived usefulness for students?

• Editorial: MnDOT waste shows there's fat to be cut

Monday, Jan. 20

• Robert W. Gregerson, 72, Grand Meadow

• ALHS wrestlers share title with Owatonna

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 20 - 25

• ALHS swimmers place third at Rochester

• Area deaths for Monday, Jan. 20, 2003

• George Bernard Schmidt, 78, Emmons

• Olive T. Eastvold, 87, Albert Lea

• Offer for '54 building will be considered

• MLK variety program encore at 5 p.m. today

• Kopischke cooks during blood drives

• Officers raid rural meth lab

• Column: A random collection of pop-culture observations and gripes

• Untitled Document Rough one at Rochester By

• Untitled Document Eagles vs. cancer By Michael

Saturday, Jan. 18

• Column: Community Education serves in many ways

• 12-and-under hockey girls improve to 17-2-1

• Sometimes, keeping things simple is best

• Panthers wrestle to draw with Blooming Prairie

• Albert Lea swimmers remain undefeated

• Winona tops Albert Lea basketball boys, 80-76

• Area deaths for Sunday, Jan. 19, 2003

• Sara Yvonne Bonnie Morreim, 75, Albert Lea

• Kenneth Stickfort, 58, Emmons

• Lake Mills group works to revamp theater

• Zola Mae Reese, 78, Ellendale

• 'Talley's Folly' comes to Albert Lea Community Theatre

• Glenville postmaster retires after 32 years of service

• Battle over tiger begins between city, owner

• Untitled Document Tigers fall just short By

• Bird leftovers

• Remembering Albert Lea's first 'super store' (First of two parts.)

• Hearing starts for Prinzing on election signs

• Albert Lea native pens ultimate tea time resource book

• Column: Important session gets underway

• Column: Past mistakes show importance of care for environment

Friday, Jan. 17

• Outscored NRHEG basketball boys fall to BA

• Untitled Document Defeating East By Michael Martin,

• Column: Col. Kearney's contribution to area and national history

• Editorial: Education pick has the right background

• Health, expense central to leaf burning debate

• Arson case to rest on fire's threat to adjacent buildings

• Historic designation paves way for Northwood improvements

• Peter L. Crom, 79, Dexter

• Donald D. Sletten, 79, Austin

• Area deaths for Friday, Jan. 17, 2003

• Tigers wrestlers crush Mankato East, 49-24

• ALHS hockey girls flatten Fairmont

• Area sports briefs: Scores and planned events

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 17 - 18

Thursday, Jan. 16

• Untitled Document Thorne Crest fans get

• Former Viking Chuck Foreman coming to Albert Lea

• Area deaths for Thursday, Jan. 16, 2003

• John F. Winter, 86, Ellendale

• Jason W. Wetzel, 22, New Richland

• Weekend Planner: Eagles' events, fund-raisers this weekend

• Lake Chapeau dam settlement delayed

• Twins Gardenhire, Hawkins, Newman visit Albert Lea

• Police seize pet tiger

• Park dump site could become big headache

• Editorial: Wellstone plan worth pursuing for Sen. Dayton

• Column: Avoiding babysitters made childhood more enriching

• Untitled Document Hard-court hustle By Michael Martin,

Wednesday, Jan. 15

• Editorial: Subsidies for ethanol have been valuable

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 16 - 18

• G-E basketball girls top LR-O

• Slow start again hurts ALHS basketball girls

• ALHS icemen nip Huskies

• Gary L. Randall, 58, Owatonna

• Andrew M. Luna Jr., 40, Austin

• Ione Gloraine Dombroske, 96, Albert Lea

• Doris C. Carlsen, 95, Albert Lea

• Family escapes evening fire without injuries

• Pawlenty targets $468 million, including ethanol subsidy

• Riverland to see 4 percent budget cut

• Ellendale race track delayed

• Column: At all costs, avoid a run-in with a photo-toting grandparent

• Untitled Document Floored by Fairmont By Michael

Tuesday, Jan. 14

• Column: How the budget may affect farming

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 14 - 18

• Albert Lea Blades avenge losses to Rochester Rookies

• 8th-grade girls third in Waseca tournament

• Bulldogs dominate Graettinger tourney

• USC wrestlers first in Rebel tourney

• Duane Ellingson, 77, Glenville

• Mildred M. Flom, 85, Faribault

• Area deaths for Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003

• Council deadlocked on leaf-burning ban

• Judge says state minnow laws constitutional

• Driver sentenced in pizza assault

• Editorial: Gas tax would be good way to fund roads

• Column: It's easy to find idiots on the road even in my own car

Monday, Jan. 13

• Untitled Document Sparks settles in By Michael

• ALHS hockey girls knock off JM

• A.L. wrestlers first at St. Cloud

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 13 - 18

• Tiger swimmers win Austin Invitational

• Allen W. Holstad, 58, Lake Mills, Iowa

• Milford Loyal Wuerflein, 46, Topeka, Kan.

• Area deaths for Monday, Jan. 13, 2003

• Sparks settling into Senate job

• Riverland Community College may offer fine-arts degree

• Hockey coach teaches on- and off-ice skills

• Column: Missing the Internet's good qualities, but not its drawbacks

• Untitled Document Making a splash By Christine

Sunday, Jan. 12

• Learning government

• Tigers hoops team slams Packers, 74-57

• Tigers continue mastery of Mayo

• Albert Lea girls can't catch No. 7 Packers

• Ferber earns state honor

• In brief: Twins to be in town Wednesday

• Evelyn M. Matthies, 87, Albert Lea

• Iris Delores Ohnstad, 79, Ellendale

• Shirlene Young, 65, Iowa

• Irvin Madsen, Jr., 65, Minneapolis

• Dale Van Ryswyk, 71, Duluth

• Sparks' win brings political change

• A lesson in politics

• Bidding for Criminal Justice Center begins

• New cards for a new year

• Albert Lea's prime source of beverages

• How to tell the Hairy from the Downy Woodpecker

• Our heritage is intact, thanks to museum donors

• Tax-free zones would fit Albert Lea like a glove

• Chunks: Sharing the wealth, a 2002 omission and pasta pots

Friday, Jan. 10

• Column: Care is needed when dealing with mercury

• Strong second half lifts NRHEG boys past USC

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 10 - 11

• ALHS swimmers sink defending champs

• ALHS icemen even record at 6-6 with 8-0 triumph

• ALHS hockey girls improve to 9-2 in Big Nine

• Lois Janiece Aspenson, 78, Albert Lea

• David W. Schmidt, 40, New Richland

• Area deaths for Friday, Jan. 10, 2003

• Local sites might fit tax-free bill's criteria

• City council may either expand or ban leaf burning

• Belshan helps secure new machine for magnifying text

• Column: Here's an update on Frosty Westering and his sports career

• Untitled Document Tigers freeze Winona By Michael

Thursday, Jan. 9

• Floyd Rebelein, 80, Alden

• U-12 girls' hockey team dominates

• JV basketball boys split first six games

• The Rev. Selmer T. Nelson, 95

• Marion Lucille Hansen, 68, Baileys Harbor, Wis. and Hot Springs Village, Ark.

• Merlin R. Wallin, 82, Glenville

• Becky (Bergie) Powers, 54

• Arlan C. Brackey, 77, Albert Lea

• Area deaths for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003

• Olive R. Westrum, 97, Albert Lea

• Viola 'Bobbie' Dahl, 95, Emmons

• Floor mat maker moves to Hollandale

• Mower judge to hear Nelson salary lawsuit

• United Way still creeping toward goal, economy cited

• USC board to hire search firm for superintendent

• Weekend Planner: Cancer benefit planned at Eagles

• Editorial: Flaws can be found in Bush stimulus plan

• Column: Cloning plans lack regard for value of individual

Wednesday, Jan. 8

• Untitled Document Winter wonderland? By Michael Martin,

• Hillman nets 100th goal as ALHS girls top Austin

• Cougars humble ALHS basketball boys

• ALHS basketball girls get first Big Nine win

• Tiger icemen nipped 4-3 at Austin

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 9 - 11

• Area deaths for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2003

• Alyce Nelson, 99, Lake Mills, Iowa

• Schwab bows out, concedes to Sparks

• Albert Leans enjoy outdoors on day of record warmth

• Interim superintendent starts in USC district

• Behrends chosen as county board chairman

• Accused drug dealer charged in federal court

• Editorial: Right decision made about election appeal

• Column: Dispensing wisdom on goose traffic, memory lapses, more

• Untitled Document Fire on ice By Michael

Tuesday, Jan. 7

• Untitled Document Wolverines can't catch Medford By

• JV wrestlers claim third title, running record to 17-1

• G-E basketball girls drop nonconference game

• Again, Rookies stifle Blades

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 7 - 11

• Area deaths for Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2003

• Rachel Jane Nissen, 55, Faribault

• Schwab concedes after judge reaffirms Sparks' victory

• Harig to assign deputy to drug unit

• Schools preparing for all-day kindergarten

• Column: A child's questions still don't have easy answers for adults

• Guest column: Accreditation process stresses quality

• Untitled Document There's a new sheriff

Monday, Jan. 6

• Editorial: Session will be marked by new sacrifices

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 6 - 11

• ALHS basketball girls fall at Northfield

• Viola Anderson, 92, Albert Lea

• Suspected burglar arrested in Iowa

• Driver dies in I-35 crash; icy roads lead to other accidents

• Lind enjoys seeing boys grow through Cub and Boy Scouts

• Judge gives Sparks five-vote win

• Guest column: The ten worst corporations of 2002

• Column: Some classic rock a little heavy on the well-worn clichs

• Untitled Document A narrow defeat By Michael

Saturday, Jan. 4

• Local woman opens Mutual of Omaha branch

• Swimmers improve to 4-0 in dual meets

• Winter activities not to try at home

• ALHS boys drop tough one at Mayo

• ALHS hockey girls maintain tourney intensity

• ALHS matmen top Faribault

• Area deaths for Sunday, Jan. 5, 2003

• Olava A. Jensen, 84, Coon Rapids

• Phillip C. Hanson, 82, Albert Lea

• Election hearing finishes, decision to come Monday

• Glenville-Emmons district gets a technology boost

• Seasoned duo finish tenure on city council

• Honing precision dance skills Just For Kix

• Finding the legacy of the Wiegand family (First of two parts)

• Canada Goose tops bird count

• Column: Until the end, 'Skateboard Stan' was dedicated to kids

• Editorial: Last day was reflective of Ventura's term

• Untitled Document Tigers triumph, Faribault falls By

• Untitled Document Technology in the classroom By

Friday, Jan. 3

• Untitled Document Mayo tops Tigers By Michael

• Untitled Document First baby of 2003 By

• Area sports calendar for Jan. 3 - 4, 2003

• ALHS girls fall to Mayo

• Sue Ellen Kaupang, 56, Austin

• Victor M. Kuchera, 102, Glenville

• Miriam A. Peterson, 97, Albert Lea

• Lloyd L. Stussy, 85, Wells

• Slow December caps down year for local construction

• Members' work on display at art center through January

• Key witness a no-show on first day of senate hearing

• Prinzing charged over signs

• Column: So many apartments, including a really historical structure

• A Bantams remain busy

• Editorial: Leaving cars running invites theft, or worse

Thursday, Jan. 2

• Column: Who needs a doll house when you can have fancy slippers?

• Untitled Document Taking the reins By Dylan

• The year in area sports: August through December

• Untitled Document More 2002 highlights... By Michael

• Area deaths for Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003

• Janet Skaar Pecora, 68, Sacramento, Calif.

• Gladys A. Rodahl, 86, Wells

• Verde Belle Gunnarson, 84, Rochester

• Stan Sevaldson, 84, Albert Lea

• Editorial: Appointment of Molnau a good symbolic move