Greens plan third peace march

UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS AND SCHEDULES
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

Messed-up mail delays $310 in checks

MORE PARKING AT EAST LAKE DORM? This preliminary architect's sketch shows, in tan, lower left, the abandoned Army building at the VFW-Legion site in front of the East Lake dorm. The building was being considered as a vets' clubhouse and bar.

VFW, Legion may sell East Lake land

SMU dorm thief takes wallet, cards

Vikings: What Ebola? What Africans?

Post advertiser reaction unclear

WSU censors Smaug music video channel

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 5, 2003 -- A petition is in circulation against a top-level Winona State University decision to throw out a free music video channel from the student union building because the videos were too fleshy. Michael Hofland, student president, said the decision was made by university Vice President Cal Winbush. Hofland said the petition is available for students to sign in the lower part of the student union. At a Student Senate meeting, the student union activities director, Joe Reed, was called on to explain the disappearance of the College Television Network from the Smaug student gathering place. Reed said that CTN was a free service but had become controversial so some administrators decided not to renew the contract. "I was getting a lot of flak from faculty since there were barely clad women in the videos on the station, and Cal Winbush didn't like it," Reed said. He said bids are being worked up with two electronic stores for television sets to be put back in the Smaug with typical cable programming. "We will have HBC cable installed down there also so students can watch what they want instead of just what's on," Reed said. Reed also said that HBC has a local studio for students to make and produce their own shows, which can be broadcast. Reporter: Kasey Kolberg

WINBUSH Vice president REED Kryzsko chief

Top cop: Collegians can help stop drugs

Pomeroy Police chief The chief said that police are willing to work with students who want to report drug-related activity. Students who make a report will remain anonymous, he said.

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 5, 2003 -- Winona police are expecting a record number of drug-related arrests this year, Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said. Last year the city had 100 narcotics arrests. So far this year the number is 110, and 130 are expected by the end of the year, he said. Also, Pomeroy said, Winona police are making more arrests than Rochester police, who serve a city four times larger. "Most of the people we are arresting are members of the Chicago-based Black Gangster Disciples gang, who are trafficking crack cocaine from Chicago to the Twin Cities on Interstate 90," Pomeroy said. According to Pomeroy, the gang members sell in Winona because the city is so close to the Interstate and the dealers can sell crack cocaine for $50 per rock -- approximately one-half gram -- as opposed to $10 in bigger cities. "Some students in the college communities will bring narcotics to Winona from other cities and share or sell it on a small scale," Pomeroy said. "This is turning into a problem because they are becoming addicted and creating a market for these gangs." Pomeroy said that students should be aware of these dealers and make an intelligent decision if they are confronted with them. "Addiction is not like a divorce -- you can't just leave it. It's a problem and addicts must support their habit," Pomeroy said. Reporter: Nathan Bortz

WSU journalism group inducts pledges

Police investigate dorm theft

WSU play featuring video snippets

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 4, 2003 -- A controversial play, "How I Learned to Drive," flashbacks about a teen girl's relationship with an older man, is being performed at Winona State University with video snippets integrated into the script. This is the first time that faculty director David Bratt has used video in a play. It works, he said, noting that the metaphor of the play is driver's education and that the snippets are from driver-ed and '60s rock videos. The play, by Paula Vogel, won a Pulitzer Prize in 1998. "This play is absolutely gorgeous for the way it's put together," Bratt said. Bratt said that a play dealing with such sensitive subject matter would often pre-categorize characters as victims and victimizers. Mentally, this play refuses to do that, Bratt said. "I like plays that refuse to be stereotypical," Bratt said. He also said he likes the play because "it messes with time." The play presents the woman's memories as if they are real. It can be difficult for the audience to know whether what's happening is a memory or if it is currently happening, Bratt said. "I read it and immediately fell in love with it," Bratt said. The cast: Li'l Bit, played by Erin Glawe; Peck, Tony Rydberg; female Greek chorus, Caroline DeCoster; male Greek chorus, Tim Gage; and the teen Greek chorus, Meggan Massie. Reporter: Sara Ryan Background: WSU plans Paul Vogel play

BRATT Theater prof

Prof: Edstrom comment typical bias

Golden Key gift trees "sold out"

Downtown bars: Please ease competition

Newspaper wants deportment reports

Mayor: Edstrom article "distasteful"

Prof defends cops in Cincinnati beating

Racism alive and well in Winona?

County estimate: 10 AIDS victims here

Ebola? Odds are against catching it

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 3, 2003 -- The reference in John Edstrom's controversial Winona Post column to the Ebola virus may have gone right by some people, even if his reference to infectious Africans did not. Diane Palm, chief nurse at Winona State University, admitted not knowing much about the Ebola: "I've heard of it. But I know little about it because it's not a concern here." Even in Africa, she said, outbreaks are rare. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, there has only been one outbreak in the United States. Hundreds of monkeys imported from the Philippines died in Virginia from the Ebola virus. Even then, only four lab workers were infected and none got sick. Could a Vikings player have brought the disease over from Africa? None are from Africa. Reporter: Ann Kante Background: Race stereotyping a worry

PALM Health director

Diversity officer worries at stereotyping

WSU prez: Edstrom comment an accident

Prof dismisses Africa comment as trash

Speech prof sees Post ethnocentricity

Post columnist still riled at j-student

EDSTROM Columnist The Nov. 12 Edstrom passage that started it all: "It is as if some infectious, flesh-eating disease has ravaged (the Vikings) ranks, robbing them of their ability to run or to close their hands into the all important fist (except when committing defensive holdings). Perhaps one of the Africans playing the game has exposed them to an exotic virus like the ebola." Brian Krans' response in the Winonan a week later

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 3, 2003 -- The co-owner of the Winona Post, John Edstrom, said that anyone willing to say that he made racist remarks in his Nov. 12 sports column should put up or shut up. "If someone wants to argue that what I said is racist they should do it in an intelligent way, and if they can't they should just shut the hell up," Edstrom said in an interview. "I am, of course, talking about Brian Krans." Edstrom was reacting to a column by Krans, news editor of the Winonan student newspaper at Winona State University. Krans' opinion piece was the first in a series of objections to Edstrom's column that led Mayor Jerry Miller to remove Edstrom from a city personnel board. Defending the column, Edstrom said: "I was making an elaborate joke, and I don't see how anyone could read racism into it." Edstrom also said that Krans did not articulate his point in an intelligent way. "If someone can tell me in an intelligent way how what I said is racist, I'd dearly love to hear it," he said. Not willing to let go of his criticism of Krans, Edstrom said: "Brian Krans is a little phony, his concerns are phony, and he has reached a level of phoniness that would take most people years to reach. He doesn't even have enough talent to produce a rational thought." Reporter: Nathan Bortz Background: Edstrom wording seen as awry

Journalists seek jock reports

WSU counselor: Student stress growing

WSU spending $450,000 on "visioning"

KRUEGER President

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- For Winona State to reinvent itself for the future, all available resources must be put into the New University planning project, university President Darrell Krueger said. Krueger has earmarked $450,000 of the university's reserve budget for the so-called "visioning" project. "We are paying Winona State representatives to visit other universities and to observe their programs and bring back a clear understanding of how Winona State could be better," said Krueger. Ninety profs and students and Winona business leaders are working on committees to design the New University, said Krueger. Also, education Dean Carol Anderson has been reassigned to direct the New University project. The final proposal is scheduled to be brought before the MnSCU state college board of trustees in the fall and then to state legislators. Krueger believes that Winona State will have Gov. Tim Pawlenty's support. Krueger said he spoke with Pawlenty last week: "He is eager to come down to Winona and support the plans for New University." Reporter: Gina Bonneville Background: Pawlenty support expected

WSU bookstore: Bring food, get a deal

Prof: Michael Jackson fits profile

Prof to discuss getting published

WSU cafeterias to post nutrition info

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- Nutrition information will be posted in Winona State University cafeterias in three to four months, West Campus dorms President Ezra Kazee said. Why so long? Kazee said the analysis of recipes by the cafeteria staff needs to be meticulous: "They want to be as thorough as possible so they don't give students bogus information." The nutrition facts will be posted for food served in Kryszko Commons, Lourdes Hall and the Smaug. Dorm presidents have been discussing the issue since September. About a recent survey of senators on cafeteria food, Kazee said the comments could have been more specific. "When you have comments like 'The food sucks,'" said Kazee, "it really doesn't help." He said cafeteria staff cook what it seems students like. "We also have to realize that they need to cook things they think students will eat. As much as it would be great to have bamboo shoots and white rice every day, it just isn't possible because not every student will eat that every day," he said. Reporter: Heather Stanek

KAZEE Dorm leader

WSU race officer: Edstrom wording awry

Mayor sees collegians as anti-drug models

Despins eyed trustee job for 3, 4 years

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- Despite continuing controversy over his appointment to the state college board of trustees, Winona State senior Tyler Despins said students and the university staff have been supportive. In an interview Despins acknowledged encountering negativity, but said it hasn't kept him from doing his job. "I believe it comes with the public position," said Despins. "Everyone is entitled to their opinions." Despins said he has felt no pressure to resign. His problems began when Gov. Tim Pawlenty passed up candidates recommended by the Minnesota State University Student Association for a student vacancy on the MnSCU board. The student association had specifically decided against forwarding Despins name to the governor, so Despins went straight to Pawlenty. Asked in an interview why he bypassed the legally required MSUSA procedure, Despins said he had wanted to become a MnSCU trustee for some time. Despins said that three or four years ago, when he was student president at Rochester Community and Technical College, he spoke with former MnSCU trustee Joe Swanson about the job. Two years ago, he said, he talked with student trustee Michael Redlinger of Minnesota State-Mankato. Despins said he wanted the position to help people. Would he go about it the same way again? "I have done nothing wrong so I would go about it the exact same way," said Despins. "I just continue to do my job." Reporter; Heather Stanek Background: Despins: My job is for students

DESPINS MnSCU trustee

Worse campus flu season expected

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- The health director at Winona State, Diane Palm, said there could be more campus flu cases this year because of large outbreaks in New Zealand and more recently in southwest Wisconsin." New Zealand determines how we predict our flu epidemic because their winter comes right before ours," Palm, said. Typically most campus cases come the week before final exams. "The kids go home for Thanksgiving, and they bring all this stuff back with them," said Palm. "That and with the stress of getting ready for finals, students start to get kind of run down." Palm said Winona State had fewer than 20 cases reported last year. The best thing students can do, she said, is to get a flu shot, especially students living in dorms because they are at a higher risk. What else? Palm said students should get enough sleep, eat well and wash their hands often. "Wash your hands a lot," she said. "If you can't, then use hand sanitizer." Reporter: Heather Stanek

PALM Health director

Pianists plan WSU ensemble concert

SMU students give $1,500 for food baskets

SMU plans multi-group holiday concert

"Vagina Monologues" planned anew

SMU plans Russian, Polish concert

Court: No to Goodroads housing plan

Might city shift downtown bar mix

Nikon D-1 workshop set at WSU

Construction crew triggers false alarm

CyberIndee seeks athlete misconduct data

WSU prof writing advice column

Top cop: Kidnapping possible here too

Pomeroy Police chief His suggestion, especially for women, is not to be alone. "If you are going out to a parking lot, like Sjodin was when she was abducted, or any place where there are a lot of cars, it is always better if you are not alone."

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- A student abduction, like the one that occurred in North Dakota, could happen in Winona too, Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said. University of North Dakota senior, Dru Sjodin, originally from Pequot Lakes, Minn. has been missing since Nov. 22. Sjodin was last seen leaving Columbia Mall in Grand Forks, N.D., where she worked at Victoria's Secret. "In the world we live in things like this happen," Pomeroy said. "We are fortunate it hasn’t happened here." The most recent student disappearance in Winona was six years ago when five St. Mary's students went missing. Similar to the search parties looking for Sjodin over the Thanksgiving holiday, college students organized to help search for the St. Mary's students and covered nearly all of Winona County, Pomeroy said. Their bodies were found a week later in their submerged truck in the Mississippi River at the end of Huff Street. Reporter: Erin Johnson

WSU prez sees support from Pawlenty

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- Winona State University President Darrell Krueger's recent meeting with the governor on reinventing the university, the so-called New University plan that's under development, couldn't have gone better, Krueger said. Krueger, with State Rep. Gene Pelowski, D-Winona, and Mayor Jerry Miller met with Gov. Tim Pawlenty to discuss university planning, including the role of the Rochester campus. The New University concept, although still not defined, excited the governor, Krueger said. He noted that the governor favors improvements in the Rochester program. Krueger said his message to Pawlenty was that Winona State has changed more than any other university in the state and is willing to continue to change. The governor was patient and listened carefully, said Krueger. Having the support of the governor is important for the New University, Krueger said. The meeting was the first face-to-face for Krueger with governor. Krueger said he made no budget requests, as he wanted the meeting to take on a conversational tone. The governor is truly looking to help Winona State, he said. Reporter: Erin Johnson

KRUEGER Wants governor on board A campuswide grassroots project is under way at Winona State to redefine the university for the budget-tight times ahead. The goal is called the New University.

Tax hike to boost college rents

PHOTOGRAPHER: SETH BRANTNER MILLER Winona mayor

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 2003 -- College students may pay higher rents next year due to a 12 percent Winona property tax increase, according to Mayor Jerry Miller. Landlords pay the taxes and pass the cost on to their renters. Why so much? In discussing taxes at the City Council, Council member Chris Arnold noted that 30 percent of Winona's real estate is tax-empt, like churches, non-profit organizations' buildings and government buildings. The city must make up for these exemptions by raising taxes, said Arnold. City Manager Eric Sorensen said the city has trimmed its staff over the past year and is doing its part to keep costs down. Reporter: Jens Hanson

Parking banned on East Mark Street

Winona to lose anti-drug project

"Messiah" sing-in set at WSU

Writer: Only bright people need read me

EDSTROM Columnist Edstrom's bravado response to student columnist Brian Krans' criticism appeared before Mayor Jerry Miller removed Edstrom from a city personnel board. Back- ground: Complete text of Krans column

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 2, 2003 -- Publisher-columnist John Edstrom of the Winona Post ravaged a Winona State University student journalist, who was the first to criticize Edstrom's Nov. 12 sports column in the Post as racist. In a followup column last week, Edstrom began with this bold-face line: "Warning to Any Individual Who Is Mentally Unstable or Unfit, or Whose I.Q. Is Extremely Low!" He then followed with: "Do not attempt to read this columnn. Such a person, some sort of remedial student over at WSU named Brian Krans, recently attempted it. The resulting strain was such that he went into a frothing fit of delusional self-righteousness, soiling himself completely, and losing entirely what little capacity for rational thought or expression he formerly possessed. The poor boy has been diagnosed with Holy Crap Syndrome, which is ususally irreversible." Edstrom's comment made sense only to Post readers who also read the Winonan student newspaper, which had carried Krans' criticism of Edstrom. There is hardly any readership overlap between the two papers. Background: "Mayor in vicious race game" Comment: White hoods in Winona

WSU prof makes case for Spanish music

DRAAYER New article

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 2003 -- A Winona State University music prof, Suzanne Draayer, wrote an article, "Canciones de Espana: Art Song Composers of 19th-Century Spain," for the Journal of Singing. Part One appeared in the November-December issue. Part II will be in the January-February issue.

College trustee: I'm students' advocate

WILLIAMS MnSCU trustee

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 2003 -- As one of three student members of the state college board of trustees, Winona State University junior Shaun Williams said he's a voice for students. "I consider myself a student advocate," Williams said in an interview. "Students in both two- and four-year schools need as much representation as they can get." Williams was appointed as a community college student to the MnSCU board by Gov. Jesse Ventura. Williams then was a student at Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minn. His two-term ends in June 2004. As a trustee, Williams attends monthly MnSCU board meetings and additional special meetings, sometimes as many as two a month. Williams also serves on the MnSCU Technology, Educational Policy Committee, and Advancement committees. He is the vice chair of the advancement committee. Williams said he maintains communication with the Minnesota State University Student Association, which represents students at the seven four-year MnSCU universities. "I try to stay up to date with MSUSA, as I am a dues paying member at Winona State," he said. "Sometimes I go to MSUSA meetings, usually when asked to appear," he said, "but occasionally I just go and sit in." Williams is also the former vice president of the Minnesota State College Student Association,, a similar organization to MSUSA set up for students at community colleges. Reporter: Erin Johnson

Engineer prof examines thermal pastes

XU WSU prof

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 2003 -- A Winona State University engineering prof, Yunsheng Xu, presented a paper, "Carbon Nanotube Thermal Pastes for High Thermal Contact Conductance" for the Composites Fabricators Association. He made the presentation at a trade show in Anaheim, Calif.

Anti-flu mist unavailable at WSU

JESSICA SCHANK	KEVIN ODBERG	BRYNA FINUCANE	JIM POMPLIN	BEN GRICE	FORREST DAILEY
TOMORROW'S GREATEST BYLINES TODAY

Writer: Mayor playing vicious race game

EDSTROM Post publisher Says he's right but wouldn't do it again

WINONA, Minn., Dec. 1, 2003 -- Sports columnist John Edstrom defended his linkage of Africans, flesh-eating viruses and the Minnesota Vikings as "an elaborate joke." Even so, he said he wouldn't get into racially sensitive verbiage if he had a chance to re-do the column. The column appeared in the Winona Post, which Edstrom owns, and has stirred race-sensitive objections and prompted Mayor Jerry Miller to remove Edstrom from the city Merit Board. In a column over the weekend, Edstrom called his dismissal from the the city personnel panel "a smear" and accused Miller of playing politics with race. Edstrom said Miller had acted in retribution to Post opposition to city policies endosed by the mayor, including whether retailer Wal-Mart should be allowed to build a Winona store,. Edstrom has been vocal against Wal-Mart. The real racism is on the part of the mayor, Edstrom said: "The point was to raise the issue of race in an insincere and dishonest way, to insert it into city politics, and try to smear the political opposition. This kind of racial demagoguery is in tself a particularly vicious form of racism." Background: "Mayor's story lacking"