Stelpflug: Clubs need to know budget rules

WINONA, Minn., March 31, 2006 -- A Student Senate treasurer candidate at Winona State University, Lindsay Stelpflug, says she has a personality that's right for the job. "I'm approachable," she said. "Students and senators need someone they feel comfortable talking to." Stelpflug, a sophomore political science and public administration major, says she thinks well of her competitor, D.J. Danielson, but says he has a "strong personality" that can be intimidating. Stelpflug describes herself as more open-minded. If elected, Stelpflug says her work as treasurer compared to her current duties as a sophomore senator would be less people focused and more "tedius," but, she added, she's ready to take on the paperwork. MORE Her main goal as treasurer, Stelpflug said, would be to educate clubs about rules of the Senate Student Activity Fee Committee, which she would run. A lot of clubs don't know that there is funding available for them through special request to the Student Senate, Stelpflug said. "I want my committee to go to individual club meetings and tell them the SAFC rules," said Stelpflug. MORE Stelpflug said she's not sure how much her salary would be as treasurer. (It's about $200 a month.) "The money is not at all an incentive," said Stelpflug. "I've put in a lot of work on the Senate in the last two years, and I did it for free." MORE One of the things Stelpflug says she looks forward to seeing clubs use the money issued by Senate to put on huge events. "It'd feel awesome to know that I had helped make that happen," said Stelpflug. MORE Stelpflug currently serves Senate Student Services Committee and the Working Documents Committee. Her experience of spending time talking to administrators would carry with her into the treasurer seat, Stelpflug said: "I've learned what games they play and how to anticipate what their next move." To improve communication with administrators, Stelpflug says at times the Senate needs to apply the philosophy: "They don't come to us, we go to them." MORE Stelpflug conceded she is now playing catch up to Danielson's early campaigning. A large sign hanging outside her house on Eighth Street is reaching students living off-campus, she said. Other campaign efforts include the neon green signs posted around campus, dorm door-knocking and a facebook.com group created by fellow Sen. Liz Jones. Danielson has his own facebook.com group created by junior Caitlin Duval. MORE Stelpflug said she and Danielson are appealing to different voter bases. Stepflug fears that Danielson might steal the votes of international students because of their endorsement of presidential candidate Rotney O'Shea. When it comes to the five-way presidential race, Stelpflug thinks she would work best with Carl Soderburg. Stelpflug says she's not extremely confident that she will win but is encouraged by the support of friends.

LINDSAY STEPFLUG WSU student treasurer hopeful

Hearing rescheduled in bar stabbing

WINONA, Minn., March 31, 2006 -- A hearing for the man accused of stabbing a Winona bouncer multiple times has been rescheduled for 3 p.m., June 7. Friday's procedural hearing was rescheduled at the request of both the prosecution and defense. Jonathan Hanz Minor, 21, has been held in a Winona jail since he was arrested for the stabbing of a bouncer five times in the back at the Schyde's college bar downown. On March 9, Judge Jeff Thompson denied a request from Minor's father to release the son to his custody. Minor's father, Patrick, wanted to take him back to Arizona to straighten him out and to help him get treatment for alcoholism and finish high school. Minor continued to be held on $100,000 bond. Reporter: Chad Larimer Background: Release question before Judge Thompson

SCHYDE'S 102 Johnson St. JONATHAN MINOR Hearing now in June

O'Shea candidacy: On again? Off again?

TENNIS (MEN'S) WSU 9, UW-La Crosse 0

CARL SODERBERG Candidate for president

WSU student faces drunk-driving charge

BASEBALL (MEN'S) WSU 5, SMU 1

SMU jock claims arrest should not have occurred

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- The cops lacked sufficient cause to arrest a St. Mary's University hockey player near the Winona State campus last month, his attorney claimed in court. Cullum Seth Buetow-Staples, charged with stealing electronics from cards, was tackled by Winona Sate security guards and held until police arrived on Feb.10. In court on Thursday, Buetow-Staples' attorney, Rich McCluer, told Judge Jeff Thompson that police did not have sufficient legal reason to warrant the arrest. Thompson gave McCluer until April 17 to submit a written challenge to the arrest. The prosecutor was given until April 24 to respond. Then on April 25, Judge Thompson will decide if Buetow-Staples needs to appear in court again. Until then, Buetow-Staples is to stay in contact with his attorney. Buetow-Staples was accompanied in court by his mother and father. They left briskly after the hearing.

CULLUM SETH BUETOW- STAPLES In court with mom and dad

SOFTBALL (WOMEN'S) WSU 8, UW-Stevens Point 3 WSU 3, UW-Stevens Point 3 (called because of darkness)

MELINDA SCHUCK Candidate for president

Ballot count Thursday: "The envelope, please"

JARED STENE Candidate for junior senator

Reis, Jacob bicker over Roberts Rules

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- Parliamentary details of what happened at a contentious but almost-forgotten meeting of the Student Senate a year ago keep rearing their head in the current Winona State University student presidential race. The issue, raised by former business Sen. Mick Reis is whether Jon Jacob, based on his performance at the MSUSA meeting, has the interpersonal and diplomatic skills to be president. Reis says that Jacob, exasperated at the St. Cloud and Mankato delegation, seconded a motion to punish the dissidence. Jacob responded to Reis' point in an interview Monday that Reis had his facts scrambled. Jacob also said he didn't recall seconding the motion, as Reis had stated. To the Reis point that the motion was so offensive and embarrassing to the Senate as a whole that an "objection to the consideration of the motion" was not only voiced but carried, Jacob responded that such could never have happened under Roberts Rules of Order that govern the conduct of meetings. To all that, Reis says: "Patently untrue." MORE Says Reis: "Jacob claims that an objection to the consideration of a motion cannot be made if the motion has been seconded. This is entirely incorrect. Roberts Rules of Order, 10th edition, by which the Senate runs, states very clearly: 'If an original main motion has been made and a member beleives it would do harm for the motion to even be discussed in the meeting, he can raise an Objection to the Consideration of the Question, provided he does so before debate has begun or any subsidary motion has been stated; the assembly then votes on whether the main motion shall be considered (and if there is two-thirds vote against the consideration, the motion is dropped.)' For reference, debate begins after a motion is made, seconded, and stated by the chair. Clearly an objection can be made and in this case one was. I know because I made the objection and it was carried."

JON JACOB MICK REIS Spar on whose memory is better and who's the master of Roberts Rules or Order

WSU Asian students cook up native menus

Howden gives up second candidacy

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- Incumbent business Sen. Rick Howden, who put himself on the Winona State University Student Senate ballot for two offices, has withdrawn his name from the senior senator race. Howden had been under critcism for "double dipping," as also have been DJ Danielson, Jon Jacob and Thersa Strahota. Howden's withdrawal leaves only Danielson on next week's ballot for three senior Senate seats. For two College of Business seats, Howden and Candice Rempala are the only candidates. MORE Remaining with dual candidacies are Danielson, for a $200-a-month salaried position as Senate treasurer as well as for a senior Senate seat; Jacob, for a salaried position as president, also at roughly $200 a month, as well for as liberal arts Senate seat; and Strahota, for both a liberal arts and a junior seat, neither of which is salaried. MORE The announcement of Howden's withdrawal from the senior race was made by student President Ryan Flynn, who is supervising the election. No on else has withdrawn, Flynn said.

RICK HOWDEN One will be enough, thank you

O'Shea scotches rumors he's withdrawing

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- A candidate for student president at Winona State University, Rotney O'Shea, denied a rumor that he is withdrawing from the five-way race. O'Shea said his door-knocking campaign is on course and going full bore: "I am going to Lourdes today, Sheehan Hall tomorrow and International Club event Saturday." What of the rumor? To a reporter checking out the story, O'Shea said: "One reason you might heard that I am withdrawing is that as I campaigned last week I went to student clubs and was asked if I would resign because of my background, and I said I would if students want me." To resign, he said, is not message he from picked up. "I am campaigning 'til next Thursday mid-day," he said. That's when online voting ends.

ROTNEY O'SHEA Don't count me out

Jacob sees wrong-headed vendetta in critic

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- A candidate for the Winona State University Student Senate presidency, Jon Jacob, dismissed criticism from a former senator as some kind of vendetta. Jacob, 25, accused Mick Reis, a former business senator, of grand-standing in an op-ed piece on the CyberIndee. "Mick hungers for controversy," Jacob said in an interview. "If he can't find it, he creates it. Not one thing in that letter is true." In the piece, labeled as commentary, Reis said that Jacob has not been the hard-nosed advocate for lower tuition and fees that he has portrayed in his campaign. Reis said that Jacob has rarely said no to a fee increase and his voting record negates his work for a failed tuition freeze last year. "Everything in the letter was his opinion," Jacob said. MORE To Reis' point that Jacob is "double-dipping" by running both for president and for re-election as a liberal arts senator, Jacob said he has valuabloe Senate experience that can serve students well either as president or as a senator. Running for the liberal arts seat is not a back-up plan, as Reis put it, Jacob said, but instead it's an assurance that his voice will continue to be heard as a student advocate. MORE To an arcane parliamentary point by Reis that Jacob had "seconded a motion that was intended to punish St. Cloud State and Metro for disagreeing with the other schools" at a meeting of the Minnesota State University Student Association, Jacob called Reis flat-out wrong. "First of all, if a motion has a second, it cannot be objected to," said Jacob. "If there is a second, it must go to the floor for debate." Jacob said that he doesn't recall seconding the motion. Still displeased about events leading up to the motion, Jacob said the "punished" schools had left a conference after wasting everybody's time for three hours. MORE Jacob conceded that in an interview that reis was correct that he has voted at various times for higher student fees but always for good reason. About a proposed 3 percent increase in health service fee that he favored, Jacob acknowledged that he supported the proposal as something that would have only a piddling effect on student costs. "I voted for the 3 percent increase because it made the difference of 10 cents per credit," he said. "That's only $1.20 more per semester." The majority of senators favored only a 1.59 percent increase. MORE Reis' commentary criticized Jacobs' claim to be a voice for Winona State students when, according to Reis, Jacob sometimes has given priority to his personal interests. Reis pointed to Jacob as self-serving in advocating a major increase in the Winonan student newspaper budget while simultaneously seeking a salaried posiition from editor Adam Crowson. Jacob responded in an interview that he didn't accept Reis' portrayal of what happened. The issue was broader, said Jacob, citing a student petition circulated by Winonan editors for the budget increase: "Two-hundred eighty students said they didn't want the cut from the Winonan. I advocated the increase because I was listening to what the students wanted."

JON JACOB Reis' opinions not warranted by the facts

JOHN MICHAEL FITZGERALD DREW NICHOLAS STEINQUIST High drama at first court appearance Tearful families, still bruised and swollen beating victim Prosecutor: "A vicious, unimaginable crime" Fitzy, Steinquist tell judge they need help

Bond for Fitzy: Quarter-million dollars

Fitzy, 'Quist each face 134 years prison

Hospital releases husband in Winona beating

Police list early investigation findings

WSU black club sponsors "Idol"

Fitzy, Steinquist to see judge Thursday

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- The men arrested for a middle-of-the-night assault on a husband and wife at their house will go before a judge Thursday to be advised formally of the charges, police said. Winona State University student John Michael "Fitzy" Fitzgerald, 21, and Nicholas Steinquist, 20, were arrested Tuesday within 24 hours of the beatings. Steinquist was stopped in his truck west of Winona in the afternoon. Then police, acting on information from Steinquist, obtained a search warrant and tsearched Fitzgerald's house and automobile Tuesday night. According to police, the search of Fitzgerald's rented house turned up a substantial amount of money, half of a pool cue, a black hooded pullover that Fitzgerald was believed to have been wearing during the assault, several prescription drugs and a controlled substance pill. It was a pool cue that police say was the "dangerous weapon" used in the repeated beating of the couple at their West Furth Street house. In Fitzgerald's car, a Chevy Tahoe registered to his mother, police found more money, the other half of the pool cue, and a blue bandana believed to have been worn by Steinquist during the assault, police said.

JOHN FITZGERLD WSU business and maeketing student DREW STEINQUIST Reported to be Fitzy's partner

WSU student reports losing computer to thief

African, Caribbean percussion to mark concert

ONE AND SAME The John Michael Fitzgerald arrested for a savage beating Tuesday is the same John Michael Fitzgerald who was evicted from WSU dorms in 2004 after a bloody fight in Morey Hall. This snapshot is from a friend in happier days. The arrest warrant against Fitzgerald lists two counts each of kidnapping,first-degree burglary, first-degree assault, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

Man accused in beatings a WSU junior

WINONA, Minn., March 29, 2006 -- One of the men facing serious jail time for a brutal beating in a West Fourth Street house Tuesday, John Michael Fitzgerald, 21, is a junior at Winona State University. Fitzy, as he's known among friends, is a major in business administration and a minor in marketing, according to university records. He also is the same John Michael Fitzgerald who was evicted from the dorms in 2004 after a bloody altercation in the Morey dorm. No charges were filed in the 2004 fight with varsity football player Phil Capuzzi because, said police, it seemed both men were at fault. Both were punished, however, through the university's internal judicial process although the university never disclosed specifics. Both Fitzgerald and Capuzzi acknowledged, however, that they had been evicted. MORE The second man arrested in the Tuesday beating of a husband and wife, age 57 and 52, at their Fourth Street home, Drew Nicholas Steinquist, 20, has no Winona State connection showing in university records. He is a graduate of Winona High. Steinquist was arrested Tuesday afternoon after being trailed by police for several miles. Police had a warrant for Steinquist's arrest but waited for reinforcements before stopping his vehicle. Fitzgerald was arrested, also on a warrant, at his residence about 10 p.m. Fitzgerald, who began his Winona State studies in 2002, is from the St. Paul, Minn., suburb of Oakdale. Reporters: Chad Larimer and Sam Molter Background: Court time set for men in drug beatings What happened in February 2004

JOHN MICHAEL "FITZY" FITZGERALD Police mug shot from Tuesday BLOODIED IN 2004 MOREY FIGHT Brawlers both evicted from dorms

SMU president honored in Philippines

Neighbor: Son was intended target in beating

Study: Conservatives not penalized in grading

Spend-happy? Jacob denies charges

WINONA, Minn., March 29, 2006 -- Student Senate presidential candidate Jon Jacob denied a conflict of interest in voting to increase the budget of the Winona State University student newspaper last year while applying for a paid poisiton on the staff. Jacob, a student senator at the time, acknowledged in an interview Monday that he has taken a lot of flak for favoring the proposed $4,000 Winonan budget increase, but, he said, what may appear to have been self-serving was not what it appeared. His only motivation was to do right by the students, Jacob said: "I know that it will look otherwise, but that is not how it was." Had the increase passed, the fee charged to students would have been less than 1 percent increase over the year before, Jacob said. Even had the request passed, Jacob said, the Winonan would have had to struggle to stay out of the red. "Taking $4,000 off of the top of their budget would give them enough for salaries and printing costs," he said. "That's it. Not even enough for an AP wire subscription -- something every newspaper needs." MORE The student activity fee reserve, in effect a surplus from which the Winonan money had been requested, was projected to approach $1 million by the end of the fiscal year, Jacob said. He quoted the university's student activities director, Joe Reed: "It's your money, use it." MORE Jacob, one of five candidates for president, has been under criticism as a spend-happy senator on a wide range of student budget issues. The attacks, including a highly critical op-ed piece on the CyberIndee by former business Sen. Mick Reis, have undermined Jacob's claim as a presidential candidate that he would be strong as a crusader for student fiscal interests. Reis pointed to Jacob attempting to push the Senate last year for a higher tuition increase than the the 4.3 percent recommended by a commnittee. Also, Jacob has been criticized for voting against 1.5 percent in the student health fee last year because he favored 3 percent. MORE Asked in an interview Monday why he had favored increasing the health fee 3 percent, Jacob said that 3 percent more or less reflected the rate of inflation. With all the renovations pending in Maxwell Hall, where the campus nursing station is located, the health services operation needed extra money, Jacob said: "It's better to be prepared than to suddenly come back to students next fall to ask for an increase of 7 percent because we're in the red."

JON JACOB But the Winonan needed the money, and health services may have MICK REIS Sees Jacob as poor steward of student fees

Court time set for men in drug beatings

WINONA, Minn, March 29, 2006 -- Two men arrested for a brutal beating in a West Fourth Street house early Tuesday may be taken before a judge Thursday morning to be formally informed of multiple charges against them. John Michael Fitzgerald, 21, and Drew Nicholas Steinquist, 20, were arrested separately Tuesday on warrants accusing them on two counts of kidnapping, first-degree burglary, first-degree assault, second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. Both men are listed as Winona residents, but police have not released their addresses. Because they were arrested on warrants, county prosecutor Chuck MacLean is not under the usual 24-hour deadline to arrange an initial court appearance. MORE Meanwhile, the brutalized husband and wife, age 57 and 55, remain hospitalized in La Crosse, Wis., Deputy Police Chief Tom Williams described their condition as stable with no broken bones. They had been tied up and beaten. A pool cue, which police believe was the assault weapon, was recovered from the couple's house, William said. Police Chief Frank Pomeroy said they were innocent victims. MORE Police also recovered a safe containing money and drugs, Williams said. The safe, police believe, had been stolen from another Winona address. Williams said the assailants believed the couple had knowledge of where the safe was and who took it. The theft had not been reported to police before the incident.

JOHN FITZGERLD Arrested Tuesday night DREW STEINQUIST Arrested Tuesday afternoon

O'Shea: Forget old rep, I've grown up

WINONA, Minn., March 30, 2006 -- Winona State University student presidential candidate Rotney O’Shea told reporters who questioned his 2.7 GPA, his police record for alcohol violations and lying to the press that he's changed. "I've made mistakes, which I regret," O'Shea said at a news conference. "That was me in the past." O'Shea says during his five years as an international student, he's grown up and is ready to lead. He said one way he is making himself ready to lead is by arranging a less than full 12-credit schedule next semereter that will allow him to devote ample time to the presidency. Repeatedly in the wide-ranging news conference, O'Shea told reporters that he would put "110 percent" of himself toward the role of student president. MORE About his first encounter with police, for an open-container in a moving vehicle, O'Shea said he was new to the United States at the time and didn't know Minnesota. In England, where he had attended high school, 18-years-old can drink legally, he said. About a partying reputation, he said, that too in behind him. Natty in a tailored suit and tie, O'Shea didn't address a 2005 campaign issue involving a photo of a shaved cat on his web site. At the time he told reporters the cat had been his mother's. The cat, whom he said was christened King, was well taken care of since he inherited the animal. It was alla cock-and-bull story. The photo, which raised questions of a perverse sense of humor among a imal-lovers, had been lifted from another website. MORE To reporters who pressed O'Shea on his B-minus grades and whether such "underachieving" would carry over into his presidency and if he's capable of giving 110 percent. O'Shea called hismelf a good student who loves to learn in classes for his three majors—Spanish, education and adventure tourism, along with his minor in political science. MORE When he does graduate, after his sixth year of college, O'Shea said he plans to go to Africa to teach Spanish. O'Shea says his experiences with traveling and being an international student make him an ideal advocate on campus for issues facing international students. If elected, O'Shea promised to go to international clubs and make them aware of the funding that is available through special request. As a student senator, O'Shea cited his crusade to increase the minimum wage at campus caterer Chartwells, where many foreign students are employed and which had failed to match the state minimum wage. O'Shea himself works at Sub Generation in the Smaug. On his facebook.com profile he says, "I am the guy that makes your subs so if you wanna talk stop by. You might get a free sub." MORE Along with helping international students, O'Shea said he's committed to keep education affordable for students and improving communication with university President Judith Ramaley. When it comes to Ramaley's L21 reforms for the Winona State, formerly known as the New University project, O’Shea said he voted against it because of costs. "I think L21 is a good idea," said O'Shea, "but can every student afford it, and will every student benefit from it?" He said he has serious doubts. In the next week, O'Shea says he will be very visible as he campaigns by knocking on every door he can find.

ROTNEY O'SHEA Promises to give 110 percent

Governor candidate: Collegians are 2006 key

Neighbors shed light on drug assaults

Cops arrest two in West Fourth Street beatings

Kazee calls self "emotional guy," take it or leave it

WINONA, Minn., March 28, 2006 --Student Senate presidential candidate Ezra Kazee told reporters at a news conference that his Winona State University friends encouraged him not to run for president because he’s an emotional guy. "Yeah, I piss a lot of people off, I'll admit it," Kazee said. "If you want an emotional leader, that's what you're going to get from me. If you don't want an emotional leader, vote for someone else." Kazee, a fourth-year political science major, acknowledged blowing up from time to time but always has professional respect for people around him -- and expects the same in return. MORE Kazee began serving Student Senate at age 24, as a freshman in 2002. Asked about his 2003 resignation from Senate, Kazee said he had problems with Senate President Mike Hofland: "I am a pessimist. He was a...I can’t think of the opposite word for pessimist right now." Kazee said that Hofland gave him an ultimatum -- resign or be impeached. Kazee quit, although he said that, now more mature, he would not handle such a situation the same. Kazee said he's grown up a lot since his early days on the Senate and gained skills in working with others. MORE Kazee said that as president he would do whatever it takes to find out what's important to students. One idea he suggested was bringing a root beer keg to the lower hyphen section of the Kryzsko student building and inviting students to sit and chat. "I believe I should be available," Kazee said. "If that means I need to skip a class to help someone I’ll do that even if I'm just to sit and have coffee with someone." MORE Currently Kazee is enrolled only in an online course and living in Fairbault, Minn. To get to Winona, he commutes by bus because impaired vision doesn't permit him to drive. Next year, Kazee plans to live at the East Lake dorm to be more accessible. MORE Kazee said that attending to his son and issues dealing with the estate of his parents have kept him away from campus much of this year but that he’s confident that Vice President Kari Winter, who is running unopposed for re-election could fill in during his absence. "I know I’m bad at time management," Kazee said, "but being president will help me to budget my time."

EZRA KAZEE Seeking student presidency

Ramaley inaugural budget reaches $50,000

Schuck stands by f*ck campaign posters

WINONA, Minn., March 28, 2006 -- Winona State University student presidency candidate Melinda Schuck said in a news conference Tuesday that she would not take down her campaign posters that read, “If you give a f*ck vote Melinda Schuck." Schuck said the posters are working at attracting attention to her campaign. Said Schuck: "I'm leaving them. Freedom of speech." Schuck, a third-year biology major in her first term as a student senator, said: "I would hope that they don't see them as completely vulgar. I tried to censor it. I have other posters that are slightly more serious." MORE In a prepared opening statement, Schuck said, "As president, I would work to increase student involvement in the decision-making process." Schuck said she would increase involvement with students and administration through scheduled meet and discuss sessions and more meetings with university President Judith Ramaley. The main focus of her presidency would be, she said, to work to improve the communication between the Student Senate and the student body. Schuck proposed keeping students informed on current issues with a series of short videos posted on the Student Senate website. MORE Asked about the perception of townspeople about Winona State students, Schuck made a distinction between booze-theme t-shirts at homecoming, which university administrators tried to suppress, and behavior. "We have to worry about our actions," Schuck said. MORE Schuck, who is involved in a variety of organizations beyond Student Senate, said she is stepping down from leadership roles in other clubs to focus on her presidency campaign.

MELINDA SCHUCK Science senator aspiring to Senate presidency

WSU plans basketball victory parade

CHAMPION- SHIP MOMENT Team portrait at Springfield

Student bagpiper lined up for inauguration

Treasurer candidates spar on fees