Yawn: WSU grad takes party nod for governor

PENNY All 10 WSU votes

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 4, 2002 -- The Jesse Ventura-endorsed candidate for governor, Winona State University grad Tim Penny, won the Independence Party primary election in his alma mater ward with all 10 Independence votes that were cast, records show. Statewide, Penny took 95.7 percent of the Independence votes -- a total of 38,226. The primary election, on Sept. 10, decided candidates for the general election Nov. 5. Penny left the Democratic Party earlier this summer to seek the Independence nomination for governor after Gov. Jesse Ventura decided against seeking a second term. Penny was challenged for the ballot spot by Bill Dahn, a 52-year-old ex-mechanic from St. Paul. In the Winona State University ward, Dahn received no votes. Democrats chose State Sen. Roger Moe for governor with 224,237 votes statewide (88.8 percent) and 29 in the Winona Statde ward (90.6 percent), trailed by Minneapolis artist Ole Savior. Republicans chose State Rep. Tim Pawlenty over Leslie Davis (88.6 percent) statewide and 62.9 percent in the Winona State ward. In the Winona State ward, which has 1,474 registered voters, only 84 turned out. According to Mary Kiffmeyer, secretary of the state, the Winona State ward turnout was 5.7 percent. compared to 18.6 percent statewide. Reporter: Amanda Egholm

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS AND SCHEDULES

SAINT MARY'S

SOUTHEAST TECH

WINONA STATE

Drunks descend: No stairway to heaven

WSU moves ed classes into Winona schools

WSU discipline chief lays out new rules

WSU prof protests "bogus" contract

GRAWE "In the dark"

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 3, 2002 -- A Winona State University English prof in his 35th year, Paul Grawe, said he's been teaching this year under a "bogus contract" that he signed under protest and duress. And, Gawe said, he cannot get anybody, not university President Darrell Krueger, not even the faculty union, to do anything about it. The contract incorrectly apportions his teaching assignments, specifying that isn't teaching anything this fall, when in fact he currently has six credits, Grawe said. Also, he said, the contract specifies that he will teach 12 credits this spring, but he's been assigned only seven. Grawe said he was promised a corrected contract. In fact, he canceled a vacation to wait for the revision in the mail, he said -- but nothing came. The university's personnel chief, Tess Kruger, said in an interview that the university has "acted in good faith" in the matter but declined further comment, citing employee data privacy. The campus faculty president, Dave Bratt, hasn't responded to Grawe's complaint but said he's been kept up-to-date on the situation. Like Kruger, Bratt declined further comment. Grawe also has complained to the governor, the legislative auditor and the attorney general. A bogus contract, Grawe said, surely must be against state and university regulations. Grawe suspects that the problem goes back two years when he proposed a five-year phased retirement plan. The university president, Darrell Krueger, turned down the plan, Grawe said, which he took to that mean that no agreement was ever reached. But, Grawe said, Krueger now claims there is an agreement in writing. "I'm in the dark about it," said Grawe. Reporter: Ben Grice

Tech receives SX300 for airplane repair classes

Minne makeover reaction: Nice job

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 3, 2002 -- The $1.5 million renovation of the first and second floors of the Minne classroom building at Winona State has been well received, said university construction coordinator Steve Ronkowski. "I have heard a lot of positive comments," he said. "There's a lot of energy within the space." Redone were 25,750 square feet of interior space of the 30-year-old structure. "We needed to update the infrastructure to improve technology within," Ronkowski said. The goal was to make Minne look more modern and to better utilize the space for both classroom seating and technology outlets. Construction began in early May and concluded Aug. 19. The contractor, Market &o; Johnson of La Crosse, Wis., finished on time and under budget, Ronkowski said. Plans to renovate the third floor are now being evaluated, possibly for next summer, he said, Reporter: Jenny Butler Background: Some Minne classrooms being e-wired

MINNE HALL Now e-equipped

Eight booze vendors foil police sting

Mayor: Boozing OK but keep it down

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 2, 2002 -- It's understandable that underage drinking occurs in Winona, Mayor Jerry Miller told Winona State University student senators. "I went to school here," said Miller. "As long as it doesn't bother anybody, I can understand it happening." Miller reported that police issued 112 underage drinking tickets and 20 party arrests since fall classes began. The mayor called the Saferide bus program to keep students off the streets on the weekend drinking nights a success. Since the program began in September, 782 riders from Winona State and St. Mary's have taken the buses, Miller said. In Senate business, senators: Named Ken Abbott and Brad Krasaway to Senate vacancies. Approved constitutions for the Collegiate Entrepreneurs, Hmung Americans, and Bocciball clubs. Chose polysci prof Jim Bromeland and student activities director Joe Reed as Senate advisers. Approved moe than $5,000 campus functions, bringing the total this year to more than $11,000. Scheduled a campus blood drive for Oct. 15-17. Approved a show by a Second City comedy troupe for homecoming. Reporter: John Thomas

MILLER "Kid once myself"

Old DNA test stalls Halter rape case

WINONA, Minn., Oct. 2, 2002 -- DNA evidence obtained in the rape case of a former Winona State University student will have to be re-tested unless the Minnesota Supreme Court adopts a new DNA testing procedure. The test that Eau Claire, Wis., police used on a condom found in the car of rape suspect Jude Wilson Halter in June 2001 has not been approved yet in Minnesota. Winona County prosecutor Chuck MacLean said he believes the new testing procedure will be adopted. The Eau Claire test matched semen in Halter's car with semen recovered from a Winona woman who was raped on July 4, 2000. MacLean said the new test used by Eau Claire police is "the most superior test for mixed samples" like those that contain both semen and vaginal fluids. The new procedure is widely used in other states and by the FBI, and it is better and faster than the old test, MacLean said. If the new procedure is not adopted, the Eat Claire tests completed will be inadmissible and a new test will need to be done on the evidence using an old procedure. Meanwhile, Halter, 27, remains in jail on $500,000 bond seveal sex charges. Reporter: Teresa Hackler Background: Did Halter ask for attorney?

HALTER Accused in WSU-area incidents

WSU prof: West Nile risk low

WSU toughens parade booze checks

WSU announces short list for registrar

Kim Dockus: Consultant for CDG & Associates. Former registrar at Walden University and associate registrar for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Platteville. Former personnel director at UW-Whitewater. Holds a master's degree in college student personnel services from Western Illinois.

Gary Fincher: Most recently project manager at Datatel for student information software. Former registrar at Prescott College, Grand View College, and Life Chiropractic College. Has records experience at the University of Florida, University of Arkansas, Louisiana State, and Western Illinois. Holds a master's in education from Western Illinoisx.

West Nile concern not high at WSU

WSU parade to be liquid-free

WILL ALBERTSEN
ABBIE BUTLIN
JULIE NANNA
PAM VOLK
TANYA COOKE
EMILY FRANK
TOMORROW'S GREATEST BYLINES TODAY