BASKETBALL (MEN'S) WSU 88, Bethany Lutheran

Warriors struggle, then charge ahead over Bethany

UPCOMING EVENTS
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

BASKETBALL (WOMEN'S) WSU 89, Waldorf 86 (two overtimes)

BASKETBALL (MEN'S) Bon Appetit Classic Southern Illinois 84, SMU 69

R.I.P.: Mary E. (Eustermann) Forestell

Construction crew breaks water main; dorm flooded

Door kicked in on Third Street Street

How many profs at WSU? Nobody seems to know

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 13, 2006 -- Faculty leaders told Winona State President Judith Ramaley that they would like straight talk about how many profs, both full-time and part-time, that the university has on the payroll. For three years the Faculty Senate has been asking for the numbers, Ramaley was told at a mandated periodic meeting with Senate leaders on a wide range of contentious issues. The numbers are key in assessing what's thought to have been an ongoing university shift to low-cost part-timers, which places extra burdens on regular faculty and poses all kinds of contractual issues. Ramaley responded thst the numbers were hard to get and put together in a short period of time. "There's some complexity to it", she said. "Three years?" asked one faculty member. Ramaley said she has been president only for a year and she was not aware of requests that might have been put to former President Darrell Krueger. MORE The numbers that have been rounded up so far are only estimates and will have to be refined several times, Ramaley said. Sharing sloppy data wouldn't serve any purpose, Ramaley said: "We're not trying to insult your intelligence." Ramaley said she shares a concern whether the university is using faculty resources effectively. "We have our reasons for wanting the data. You have your reasons for wanting the data," Ramaley said. MORE At the session, called a Meet and Confer, profs also said that they were upset about changes to the criteria for promotion and tenure. Ramaley denied any changes. She said, however, that the administration is trying to devise uniform guidelines for the whole university. Whatever guidelines are in place at the time of an individual's time for promotion or tenure is what will be used, Ramaley said. A faculty member said it can be frustrating to profs who earned tenure under rigorous standards to see a new generation of faculty held to lesser standards. MORE On another issue, profs coplained that the university web site includes out-of-date information. University regulations on he site, for example, carry no information on when they were posted. Responded Ramaley: "When a new regulation is put in place it is approved at a meeting such as this." Ramaley also said that all documentation on the internet has been approved by university administrators. A representative from the faculty said the concerned faculty members were looking for reassurance from the administration that documentation posted on the web site is correct. "Your reassurance is granted," said Ramaley. Ramaley also said that she would do her best to make sure that posted regulations hereafter show the date that they are revised. MORE The Faculty Senate also requested more detail on projects being funded thriough Ramaley's signature Learning for the 21st Century program. "At this moment we can tell you what the projects are, but we can't tell you what the results are because they are still in progress," Ramaley said. Similar questions about what exactly is going on with L21, as Ramaley calls the program, were raised two weeks ago by Student Senate members at a meeting with Ramaley. Ramaley told student senators: "An evaluation strategy is in place but will not be complete until the projects are complete." It was the same message Monday at the meeting with faculty senators. Ramaley said that a concerned person could access the L21 projects on the university’s home page, under L21 at www.winona.edu. There have been ongoing complaints that the site is incomplete, out-of-date and obscure on operational details. Reporters: Bekka Buck and Amy Semelhack

JUDITH RAMALEY On faculty's hot seat without numbers

WSU students finds tire slashed on car

Football playoffs: WSU vs. North Dakota

That'll teach you not to throw snowballs at cops

Cops tag stumbling, bloody drunk

Mayor pleased with Krage's Ward 2 re-election

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 12, 2006 -- The results of the Second Ward City Council race, in which 21-year incumbent Gerry Krage thumped Todd Ouellette, did not surprise Mayor Jerry Miller. The mayor called Krage "a very conscientious person with a lot of experience." Krage has "a good feel for the public," Miller said in an interview. Krage pulled in 1,483 votes, Ouellette 518. Miller, who said he has never met Ouellette, decined to comment on character or personal beliefs. The race was unique from the beginning, with Ouellette in and out of court on assault and trespass issues and questions about his eligibility as a candidate --even though he insisted he lived in the Second Ward, albeit in his car. Had Ouellette been elected over Krage, Miller said that things wouldn't have changed much on the Council. "It's just one vote," said Miller. The Council comprises six members. Miller repeated he was pleased that Krage won. He said that Krage researches issues well: "He does a good job of getting both sides." MORE In his campaign Ouellette included the mayor in his broad sweeps against what he called the Winona Establishment. On election night, after the results showed he had lost, Ouellette called his Second Ward did "just the first battle in a long war to come." He said he might run for mayor in 2008. When Miller was asked if he would seek re-election as mayor in 2008, he replied: "I just take one day at a time." Reporter: Anne Pilmonas Background: Krage handily retains City Council seat

GERRY KRAGE Near 3:1 victory margin TODD OUELLETTE Eyeing mayor's job in 2008 JERRY MILLER Mayor: Too early to talk about '08

Pumpkin, snowball fight ends with charges

Polysci prof: E-85 flub may hurt Hatch

WSU Walz suporter: Change looms in new Congress

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 11, 2006 -- The former president of the College Democrats at Winona State University, Rick Howden, said after the election Tuesday that he was pleased. "This country has been in need of some change," Howden said in an interview. "It is finally happening." The new Congress starting in January, dominated by Democrats, will be "more willing to support issues that I care most about," said Howden. For him, Howden said, the most important issue is education, primarily higher education followed by k-12. Referring to one of the few Republican triumphs, the re-election of Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, Howden said: "The only obstacle now is the current governor, who may not be in favor of supporting these issues." MORE Howden had hesitated to make any predictions before the election but said there was one race that he really cared about. "The one race that meant the most to me was the First District U.S. Congress race between Tim Walz and Gil Gutknecht," said Howden. "I had met, been in parades, and brought Mr. Walz to campus on a few occasions," he said. "I was energized by him and his campaign for the last year and a half." Howden said college people had been let down by Gutknecht, a six-term incumbent. "Mr. Walz has great integrity and ran his campaign that way," Howden said. "I am proud to have volunteered and supported him and was glad to see him victorious." Reporter: Laura Faschingbauer

RICK HOWDEN WSU Democrats ex-president

Prof: Walz overcame odds in Congressional race

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 11, 2006 -- The victory of Mankato school teacher Tim Walz over an incumbent in the southern Minnesota Congressional race suprised Winona State University political science prof fred Lee. "It is very hard to defeat an Incumbent," Lee said in an interview. ""Not many people can say they overcame an incumbent who has been in office for the past 12 years." Walz defeated Gil Gutknecht in the U.S. Congress race with a margin of by six percentage points in Tuesday's election. "The margin surprises me even more," Lee said. He said Walz had a very good campaign and worked hard. Lee, whose interests focus on U.S. national politics, said he was less surpried at the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania, shre Democrat candidate Bob Casey overcame Incumbent Sen. Rick Santorum by 18 percentage points. Although expecting Casey to win, lee said said he was shocked at the 18=point margin. "Incumbents should do better the second time around," Lee said. "I'm astounded that Casey received 59 percent of votes over Santorum’s low 41 percent." He said that Santorum's conservative views cost him the election. Reporter: Amy Sahl

FRED LEE Political scientist

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) NORTHERN SUN: STANDINGS Bemidji State Winona State MSU-Moorhead Wayne State Concordia St. Paul Northern State Southwest Minnesota State Upper Iowa UM-Crookston Mary CONFER- ENCE 8-0 7-1 4-4 4-4 4-4 3-4 3-5 3-5 0-8 0-0 OVER- ALL 9-2 9-2 6-5 5-6 5-6 4-7 4-7 3-8 0-11 6-4

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) METRODOME CLASSIC WSU 31, Wayne State 3 Bemidji State 44, Upper Iowa 20 Mary 20, Northern State 7 MSU-Moorhead 22, Southest Minnesota State 20

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) WSU 31, Wayne State 3

SMU dean to lead new Marine Art Museum

HOCKEY (MEN'S) St. Norbert 7, SMU 2

HOCKEY (WOMEN'S) UW-Superior 2, SMU 1

CROSS COUNTRY (MEN'S) NCAA Regionals SMU (19th of 23)

CROSS COUNTRY (WOMEN'S) NCAA Regionals SMU (16th of 21)

SWIMMING (MEN'S) St. Olaf Invitational St.Olaf 102, SMU 90116

SWIMMING (WOMEN'S) St. Olaf Invitational SMU 158, Augsburg 59 SMU 135, St. Catherine 106 St.Olaf 136, SMU 116

WSU ex-dean confirmed to lead UW-La Crosse

MADISON, Wis., Nov. 10, 2006 -- As expected, University of Wisconsin regents confirmed Joe Gow as the new chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Gow, who was a dean at WInona State from 2002 to 2004, most recently has been interim president at Nebraska Wesleyan. He was a candidate for Wesleyan president this fall but passed over. That prompted about 400 Wesleyan students, almost one-third of the student body, to sign on to a web site that called for regents to reconsider. At Winona State he worked for smaller classes and an lower the faculty-student ratio, which he said would be a goal at UW-La Crosse. The chair of the UW-La Crosse search committee, Carmen Wilson, said the search committee was attracted to Gow's "inclusive and transparent leadership style." Backround: WSU former dean new UW-La Crosse prez TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE HOCKEY (MEN'S) SMU 4, Lake Forest 2 TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE HOCKEY (WOMEN'S) UW-Superior 4, SMU 2 TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Walz to open Congressional office in Winona WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- The next Congressman from Minnesota's First District, Tim Walz, launched a victory tour with a promise to open an office in Winona. Walz, of Mankato, made the announcement bright and early at the Blue Heron on Second Street as 50 supporters cheered and applauded. With strong campus support, Walz easily carried Winona County, 11,458 to 8,194, in defeating six-term incumbent Gil Gutknecht. He also will have a second office in Mankato -- although not Rochester, which was Gutknecht's home base. Casual in jeans and sweatshirt, Walz joked that to the Blue Heron crowd that he was wearing his lucky jeans. MORE The crowd was lined up waiting for Walz by 9 a.m., erupting in loud applause as Walz stepped off his charter bus. This, he said, was his proudest moment. "Congressional campaigning is never about the candidates. It's about the people," said Walz, "You had a vision, and my job is to speak for you." Other snippets from the post-campaign stop: "We ran the campaign as something to be proud of." "For years we wanted to change our country and now we are actually doing it." "We are going to move forward in Iraq with open discussions. Even though President Bush is stubborn, we will be very serious with the situation in Iraq, and we are taking a big leap of faith by doing this." MORE Among cheers, shouts, and whistles, Julie Canterbain shouted out: "I feel so much ownership for you success." The crowd roared with agreement. A smile never left the Congressman-elect's face. "For the last two years, I knew we did this right," he said. Noting his own 12-hour and 17-hour days and a full staff and colunteer comitment, he said: "We worked hard, we focused on the right things and, lastly, we trusted you." Closing his remarks, Walz said: "We are out here today to assure you our commitment to you will be more than you've ever seen. This victory isn't the end of our hard work. Iit’s only the beginning." Before reboarding the bus for his victory tour Walz said, "I am personally thanking you for taking our country back. Here on out it only gets better." Background: Laura Faschingbauer and Amy Sahl Background: Walz victory tour starts at Blue Heron Background: Walz unseats six-term Congressional incumbent TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 WSU student voter vans carried 72 WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- The student Get Out the Vote campaign at Winona State University was a success even with a few setbacks, said liberal arts student Sen. Jared Stene, a project facilitator. The campaign, looking to give students the opportunity to vote, used state-rented vehicles to give rides to the polls for students living at the East Lake and West Campus dorms. In all 33 students from the East Lake dorm and 39 from West Campus dorms took advantage of the vans, which that ran from 12 to 8 p.m, Stene said. Noting that university President Judith Ramaley had refused to approve poll rides until the morning before Election Day, Stene said he considered the student response good considering that the Student Senate sponsors of the project "had less then 24 hours to plug it." Reporter: Alyssa Franklin Background: Student leaders pleased with Ramaley reversal on cars Background: Student leaders rally late voters JARED STENE Only a 24-hour window TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Election chief told poll-watcher: Take a seat or leave WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- County Auditor Cherie MacLennan confirmed that she asked Tim Donahue, a certified Democratic election monitor, to leave the Kryzsko Commons polling place at Winona State University on election day. In an interview MacLennan said Donahue's credentials were legit, but, she said, "Minnesota doesn't have poll watchers." MacLennan said that Donahue, who is a Winona State senior, was walking around with a clipboard. There are so many rules that need to be followed in the polling place, said MacLennan. MacLennan said she asked Donahue to have a seat as a Democratic challenger. Donahue then left and filed a complaint with the state DFL Voters Protection Service. The complaint was denied. As a Democratic poll-watcher, MacLennan said, Donahue's duties were supposed to be limited to challenging the legitimacy of people registering to vote. About news reporters being denied turnout information during the day, MacLennan said she was uanaware of two incidents involving CyberIndee reporters. Reporter: Paul Solberg background: More problems reported at Kryzsko voting place Background: Kryzsko precinct judge denies data to reporter Background: Student leaders rally late voters Background: Kryzsko precinct judge denies data to reporter Background: Certified poll-watcher denied precinct numbers TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Pawlenty victory surprises WSU political expert WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- The outcome of the Minnesota governor race, won by Republican incumbent Tim Pawlenty, surprised Winona State University political science prof Darrell Downs. He credited Pawlenty's victory, amid general Republican setbacks nationally and in the state, to third-party candidate Peter Hutchinson. "The Independence Party pulled a large number of votes from the other candidates, and in this close of a race it ended up having a direct effect on the outcome of the election," Downs said. Downs noted that Pawlenty was just barely re-elected, carrying 47 percent of the vote while his Democrat opponent, Mike Hatch, followed on his heels at 46 percent. Polls previous to Tuesday's election had shown that Huchinson was never a serious contender in the race for governor, but Downs said Huchinson's ability to capture 6 percent of the overall vote was a key element in the final outcome. MORE Democratic Congressional candidate Tim Walz came out on top against incumbent Gil Gutknecht by more than 6 percentage points, which Downs said was an impressive margin. Downs noted that Walz had run a campaign that "was more underground instead of highly publicized." Reporter: Alex White TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE WSU student reports CD player stolen WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- A Winona State University student, Daniel Koch, reported a portable CD player with six discs was stolen Wednesday evening from his car in Wal-Mart grocery parking lot. Koch told police that he had left his Buick Regal window open, said briefing officer Paul Bostrack. Police said Koch valued the CD player at $50. Reporter: Alex White TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 More problems reported at Kryzsko voting place WINONA, Minn., Nov. 9, 2006 -- A second news reporter, Alyssa Franklin, said she was denied routine voter turnout information election day by Sue Edel, chief judge at the Kryzsko Commons polling place at Winona State University. Franklin said she identified herself as a reporter to Edel and was told to come back at 8 p.m., when polls were scheduled to close, if she wanted the information. Franklin reports for the CyberIndee. At another point, CyberIndee reporter Anne Pilmonas, also was denied turnout information by Edel. Under state law, news reporters are permitted into polling places to observe the process. Routinely reporters ask judges how the process has been going. At seven other precincts, CyberIndee reporters making spot checks during the day had no probem in asking about the turnout. MORE Edel's precinct, where most Winona State dorm tenants vote, had simialr problems. Tim Donahue, a Democratic poll-watcher, and Kendric Moore, an officer with the campus Democrats, also were denied information. Ironically, although reporters were denied turnout data, election judges chatted with voters throughout the day about the turnout. It was from voters that leaders of the campus Get Out the Vote project learned in the afternoon that the turnout was lagging and restarted their project to motivate students to get to the polls. Background: Student leaders rally late voters Background: Kryzsko precinct judge denies data to reporter Background: Certified poll-watcher denied precinct numbers TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Election chief pleased at 64% county turnout WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- The Winona County voter turnout was about 64 percent in Tuesday's mid-term elections, according to County Auditor Cherie MacLennan. "That's good," said MacLennan, noting that the national average on the midterms is only 40 percent." The elections went smooth and the equipment worked well, said MacLennan. There were no problems, she said, with M100 and AutoMark machines that were new to Minnesota this year. MacLennan's day started at 5:45 a.m. She and her staff headed out to make sure everything was in order at each of 48 precincts and township halls in the county. "Each one of us started out from our homes with a supply box of equipment and back-up program chips in case something happened," said MacLennan. MORE MacLennan, with the county since 1979, said she was unaware that an election judge had been denied access to information to a reporter, Anne Pilmonas of the CyberIndee, at the Kryzsko Commons polling place on campus. "I don't believe we denied access to a reporter," said MacLennan. "I didn't hear anything about it." Other than that incident, there were no irregularities, said MacLennan. She did not mentioned complaints by Democratic activists Tim Donahue and Kendric Moore that they were had been denied turnout numbers at the Ward 3, Precinct 1, voting place at Kryzsko Commons. MORE About races themselves, MacLennan said the most closely watched local contests were the school board and county commission. There also was the Ward 2 race for City Council between incumbent Gery Krage, who won handily, and Todd Ouellette. "I am surprised Todd Ouellette did as well as he did," said MacLennan, "but I don't mean that in a derogatory way. Ouellette won 518 out of 2,001 cast. "He's had a lot of negative media response, but he did quite well." said MacLennan. "That's politics." Reporter: Paul Solberg Background: Kryzsko precinct judge denies data to reporter Background: Certified poll-watcher denied precinct numbers TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE Prof: Look for GOP to turn introspective WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- A more introspective Republican Party can be expected as a result of the mid-term election Tuesday that turned many GOP Republians out of office, according to Kurt Hohenstein of the Winona State University faculty committee on government relations. The Republican Party is going have to rethink its image, Hohenstein said in an interview. Hohenstein sees the turnng point for Republican domination of politics nationally came a month ago with the Mark Foley scandal. "Campaigns are like the ocean, and there can only be so many 'wave breaks,' like the Foley scandal, before the public changes their view," Hohenstein said. In the Foley scandal, the GOP's Congressional leadership was faulted for ignoring sexual initatives by the Florida program to teen-age House pages. MORE Tuesday's election brought in a lot of freshmen legislators who are going to have a rough time taking care of the serious issues, said Hohenstein, who specializes in constitutional history. Hohenstein said he expects to see smaller issues such as minimum wage get passed early in the next session but larger issues like the Iraq war may be put to the side. MORE About a Winona issue, how extensively college students should be involved politically, Hohenstein said he favors students voting even if they have to get to the polls by a professor driving them: "I don't see it being any different than picking up elderly from a nursing home and bringing them to vote." The fuss about profesors as chauffeurs stems from last year's school-tax election when at least one Winona State prof, political scientist Darrell Downs, transported students in his personal vehicle. Why the outrage? Some people needed a group to blame for the election not turning out their way, Hohenstein said. The criticism came from people who opposed a school-tax increase and, upset that the incrase passed, criticizes students for swining the election even though they don't pay property taxes. If community members don’t like students voting on issues like property taxes, then the rules for who can vote where need to be change, Hohenstein said. At the same time, he said, keeping students from voting would be un-American. Reporter: Charlie Moburg TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Democratic chief: Iraq, veteran issues helped WINONA, Minn., Nov 8, 2006 -- As the hustle and bustle of the election campaigns faded, Democrats around Winona were all smiles at the victories of Amy Klochubar, Gene Pelowski, Sharon Ropes and Tim Walz. "The DFL team and the WSU College Democrats were all wonderful people to work with during these campaigns." said county Democratic chair Anne Morse. "I feel we accomplished a lot." Morse said that Democratic candidates, who will move into control of Congress, benefited from public dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and from veterans issues. "We have worked very hard for our veterans and are now coming up on our third year of the veterans project in which we help Iraq war veterans at the Minneapolis Veterans Hospital," she said in a post-election interview. "We had small numbers the first year, but over the past two years the project has grown so much, and it makes all of us feel good, like we're accomplishing something positive." MORE What about observations that Americans weren't necessarily voting Democratic but rather just not voting Republican? "There is a measure of truth to that and people rejecting the status quo," Morse said, "but in reality we had great candidates like Tim Walz and Amy Klochubar, and I'm convinced that people went out of their way to vote for these candidates." What next? "We can't go into hibernation," Morse said. "We need to keep going." Reporter: Rob Thoresen TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Polysci prof: Can Democrats keep the trust? WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- The pressure will be on the Democratic leaders in new Congress to maintain the trust that their victories in the election Tuesday has placed on them, said Yogesh Grover, a Winona State Universty political science prof. Grover, who spent election night at a Democratic victory party, said he expects the Democrats to do something right. If not he said, "they will go out just like the Republicans." In the election, the Republicans lost control of both the U.S. Senate and House. In Minnesota races, Grover said he was pleased with the election turnout but he was disappointed that Republican Tim Pawlenty had retained the governorship. But now that Democrats will be in control of both houses in the Legislature, Grover said that Pawlenty will face more solid ostacles in pursuing his agenda. MORE Grover attributed the turnout, which was high for a mid-term election, to dissatisfaction with the Iraq war. Grover said that President Bush underestimates the consequences sending soldiers to war. Almost 3,000 soldiers who have died and many more will die, said Grover: "What will Bush tell families of those individuals when the war is over?" Reporter: Stacy Brogan YOGESH GROVER Ball is in Democrats' court TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE Yes, WSU artist and scientist say, the twain shall meet WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8 -- Dancers in tutus and doctors in lab coats are not that far apart, according to two Winona State profs who have a created a course they call Making Interdisciplinary Connections: Science and Art. "Many of the things scientists and artists do are the same," dance prof Shanon Mansur told a campus audience to which she was explaining the course. Mansue cited concepts of motion: "Expanding their knowledge and hopefully understanding of motion, students will study both geosciences and Laban movement analysis. Geoscientist Jennifer Anderson eschoed the pointin explaining the beauty of geosciences: "Look at this elegant rock. I can feel the pain it went through as it formed and came to be." They wound up their lecture in unison: "Come help us break down the barrier between science and dance." Mansur and Anderson have scheduled their new course for spring semester. Most of the class will be spent "asking what, where and who we are?" said Anderson. A collecion of essays by physicist and writer Alan Lightman, “"Einstein’s Dreams," will be the textbook. In the lecture Anderson called herself more of an experimentalist than a scientist. "I get emotional over science and love all science," Anderson said. Reporter: Dave Busse TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 JUST WHEN THEY THOUGHT THEIR WORK WAS DONE Student leaders rally late voters WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- Student senators who organized a Get Out the Vote campaign at Winona State University were startled into action when they learned at 5 p.m. that only 469 voters had turned out at the main campus polling place. Immediately liberal arts Sen. Jared Stene rounded up every fellow senator he could find to go door-to-door in the dorms to encourage students to vote. The task was daunting, with the turnout running 24.6 percent short of thr 637 in the 2002 mid-term election. The crash project, starting less than three hours before the Kryzsko poll closed, worked. The final count was 673. MORE At-large Sen. Thorn Viryasiri, sophomore Sen. Gerald Strauss, and Get Out the Vote intern Holley Schmidlapp joined Stene in the last-minute push to get students to vote. When students answered their dorm doors some told the senators they were planning to vote. Others offered excuses, the main one being, "I'm uninformed." That response distressed Strauss. When the door was closed he found himself muttering, "OK, it's your country," or "Ah, the apathy...." MORE Senators had been door-knocking in the dorms the night before. Student Senate Vice President Kari Winter said she thinks talking to students in the dorms helped clear a lot of confusion about voting. Winter said that some students in West Campus dorms thought they could vote on main campus and did not know where their polling place was located. She also said many students were not aware that Minnesota allows same-day registration. Also, the Student Senate opened its office on election day as a place for students to ask questions about voting. Stene said the phone rang every 10 or 15 minutes throughout the day, mostly with students asking where their polling place was and what forms of identification they would need. MORE Weeks before the election, student senators helped students pre-register to vote. With some help from other campus clubs, 600 pre-registration cards were completed, said Winter. That's 1,823 shy of Senate's original goal of having 2,266 students reistered -- 35 percent of the total student population. MORE Although pleased with the numbers, business Sen. Rick Howden, facilitator for the Get Out the Vote campaign, said he was saddened by apathy he found. Howden has posed theories to explain apathy. First, he blamed a lack of trust in government, but then he dismissed the theory: "There's always been a lack of trust, so that must not be it." Next he blamed laptop dependency. "You walk around in the student union, and everyone has their lap tops open, and it's like people have tunnel vision," said Howden. "We are living in an information age, and there's so much information on our computers that people need to be selective," said Howden, "and usually they don't select information about politics." Reporter: Lydia Oglesby Background: Student leaders pleased with Ramaley reversal on cars PHOTOGRAPHER: LYDIA OGLESBY KNOCK, KNOCK "Hey, how about voting?" pleas student Sen. Gerald Strauss in an evening mission through Prentiss dorm hallways. The last-minute rounds by Strauss and fellow senators goosed the turnout at the Kryzsko Commons voting place to surpass the level of the 2002 mid-term election. TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 Walz victory tour starts at Blue Heron WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- Congressman-elect Tim Walz will begin his victory tour at the Blue Heron coffee shop on Second Street. Walz, a Democrat, won the First Congressional District over incumbent Gil Gutknecht. Date: Thursday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 11 Time: 9 a.m. Place: Blue Heron coffee shop Cost: Free TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE BASKETBALL (MEN'S) WSU 69, Minnesota 64 Warriors proven a thing or two to Division I Gophers MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- Winona State University closed its exhibition season on a huge note, defeating the University of Minnesota 69-64. The Warriors kept their composure down the drive to the victory, outrebounding the Gophers 40-27. More than 10,000 fans were in attendance at Williams Arena, but, unusual for a Gopher home game, almost half were fans for the other team. John Smith produced his third straight double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Warriors. Jonte Flowers led scored 15 Winona points, Zach Malvik 12 , and Joe Ingvalson 11. The victory gave Winona State, the reigning Division II national champ, a 2-1 exhibition record against Division I opponents. MORE The Minnesota game was tied a fifth and last time at 61-61 with 1:15 to play. From there the Warriors netted eight-of-11 free throw attempts. More importantly, on two of those missed shots came up with offensive rebounds. The Gophers, on the other hand, were one-of-two from both the field and the free throw line and also coughed up the ball once. The Gophers held the rebound edge at halftime 17-15. Winona State countered in the second half, outrebounding the Gophers 25-10. For the game the Warriors came up with 16 offensive rebounds to 7 for the Gophers. Winona State also was 21-of-30 from the free throw line to 13-of-20 for the Gophers.The Gophers' Dan Coleman led scorers t with 20 points, to go with 5 rebounds, Lawrence McKenzie was the only other Gopher in double figures, scoring 13. Reporter: Jon Jacob Background: Statistics TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE WSU students gobbling up off-campus housing WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- Campus-area landlords say Winona State University students are signing leases earlier than usual for units next fall. Rental agent Lori Smith said she began receiving queries in August even though she doesn't start to show apartments until October. "About 85 percent of my apartments have been rented already," said Smith. "I've been renting apartments for about 30 years and this is the earliest that I have ever rented out units." Another rental agent, Winona Student Housing, has also been renting out apartments quickly this year, especially to freshmen. Off-campus housing for some real-estate agents is more than 50 percent rented. MORE Some students calculate they can cut living expenses substantially moving out of the dorms. Sophomore Stephaine Trask, among 2,500 students in Winona State dorms this year, has signed a lease for a house that she figures will save hundreds of dollars. For a shared off-campus place, most students pay about $300 a month each, plus $15 to $80 for electricity. A shared dorm rom, on other hand, runs $3,000 to $3,600 a semester depending on meal plans. That comes out about a $3,000 a year difference, Trask said. More important, Trask said, will be that moving off campus will make her feel more independent. Reporter: Stacy Brogan TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE WSU students perform, produce two-person musical WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- A two-person musical by Jason Robert Brown opens Thursday at Winona State University. Senior Dani Lobello, who adapted and directs "The Last Five Years," said the musical is about two people whose love cannot overcome their different dreams. The play explores a five-year relationship between a thriving novelist played by junior Tyler Lueck and a struggling actress played by junior Katy Stein. The play uses an unorthodox form of storytelling, with Cathy traveling backwards in time, beginning at the end of the marriage, and Jamie traveling forwards, starting with their first date, Lobello said. The songs are presented as soliloquies except for a wedding song in the middle, where the two characters are only together in time for a brief, bittersweet moment, Lobello said. Date: Thursday, Nov. 9, through Saturday, Nov. 11 Time: 7:30 p.m. Place: Main Stage, Performing Arts Cost: Free Contact: (507) 457-5280 TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006 MINNESOTA GOVERNOR with precincts reporting Pawlenty Hatch Hutchinson State- wide 896,540 (3,517 of 4,123) 874,277 (3,517 of 4,123) 126,744(3,517 of 4,123) Winona County 8,420 (48 of 48) 9,760 (48 of 48) 1,197 (48 48) WSU-area precincts 1,613 (8 of 8) 2,703 (8 of 8) 312 (8 of 8) Compilers: Sarah Dotta, Elizabeth Adams,Samuel Keane-Rudolph, Brittney Richmond and Amy Sahl MORE Pawlenty retains governorship by 2,000 votes WINONA, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty won re-election, defeating Democratic opponent Mike Hatch by a slim 1 percent. After a long night, first lagging in the count, then moving narrowly ahead, Pawlenty gave his victory speech around 3 a.m. He had 46 percent of Minnesota’s votes. Hatch followed with 45 percent. Independent opponent Peter Hutchinson received 6 percent. Pawlenty, governor since 2002, won with only about 2,000 votes. MORE Hatch easily carried Winona County with with 9,670 votes to Pawlenty's 8,430. Independence candidate Peter Hutchinson, who had been supported editorially by the Daily News, had 1,067. In Winona's wards Two and Three, where a large nmber of voters are Winona State University students, Hatch led Pawlenty w 2,703 to 1,613. Hutchinson followed with 312 votes. Reporter: Amy Sahl MIKE HATCH Democrat PETER HUTCHIN- SON Independence TIM PAWLENTY Republican TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE RECENT DAYS IN THE CITY POSTED NOV. 7, 2006 WHITHER WILKIE? The Winona Steamboat Center Board, set up to operate the Wilkie tourist and activity center on the Levee, has been dissolved by the Secretary of State for failing to file annual registratuon documents. The dissolution was backdated to 2002. The board's chair, Paul Sweazy, has been opertaing as if the board still exists, although he has declined to name the people comprising the board. Background SCHOOL ELECTIONS. Voters signaled that enough's enough after one School Board imbroglio after another. Three newcomers were elected to board vacancies -- Stacy Arnold, John Goplen and Ted Hazeton. Out are incumbents Larry Laber, who had served two terms and was board chair, and Nancy Siderius, who served one term> NEARBY LEGISLATIVE RACES. State Rep. Steve Murphy, D-Red Wing, a seven-term incumbent whose District 28 dips into Winona County, defeated Reoublican Steve Drazkowski of Wabasha. Murphy won 54 percent of the vote. State Rep. Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon, won his 14th term with 63 percent of the vote. He is speaker of the House. Sviggum had been challenged by Jeff Flaten. Dairy farmer Ken Tschumpher, a Democrat defeated controversy-stained State Rep. Greg Davids, R-Preston, in normally Republican District 31B. Tschumper's margin, only 49 votes, was expected to trigger an automatic recount. EARLIER NEWS IN THE CITY TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE ELECTION 2006
CITY COUNCIL with precincts reporting
Breza Krage Ouellette Borzyskowski			At-Large 7,270 (16 of 16) Ward 2 (Near West End) 1,483 (4 of 4) 518 (4 of 4) Ward 4 (Near East End) 1,995 (4 of 4)
Compiler: Kelsey O'Neal

Krage handily retains City Council seat

Voters say no to street upgrade tax

Walz unseats six-term Congressional incumbent

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- A retired National Guard sergeant with Iraq-era duty, Tim Walz of Mankato, won election to the Congressional district that spans southern Minnesota. About midnight Gil Gutknecht conceded his seat with somewhere between 80 and 85 percent of the precincts reporting and Walz holding a 53-47 margin. MORE Walz swept Winona County with more than 11,000 votes to Gutknecht's 8,200. The precincts around Winona State University, the margin was more than 2:1. Reporter: Jon Jacob

GIL GUTKNECHT Republican

TIM WALZ Democrat

Ropes easily wins Kierlin Senate seat

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- A Navy nurse who immersed herself in education issues after settling in Winona, Sharon Ropes, won the southeast Minnesota District 31 State Senate race. Ropes beat Republican Brenda Johnson of Chatfield 14,270 to 10,802. Independent Kevin Kelleher of Houston trailed. For Ropes, a Democrat, the election was her second attempt at the seat held by State Sen. Bob Kierlin, R-Winona, who decided not to seek re-election. Ropes lost to Kierlin in 2002. Reporter:

BRENDA JOHNSON Republican

KEVIN KELLE- HER Independent

SHARON ROPES Democrat

Klochubar wins U.S. Senate, swamping Kennedy

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- ST.PAUL, Minn., Nov. 8, 2006 -- The first woman elected by Minnesota to the U.S. Senate, Amy Klochubar, told cheering supporters at the Crown Plaza Hotel that change lies ahead. "Today you had the chance to raise your voice for change and you did it," Klochuhar said. Her victory was clear soon after polls closed. All tallied she won 1,170,067 to 771,803 over Republican Congressman Mark Kennedy. Semonti Mustaphi, Klochubar's news secretary, credited the victory to a strong campaign that promised a new course of action in Washington. At a Sheraton hotel in suburban Bloomington, Kennedy told supporters that the campaign had been well fought. There is no shame in defeat, only shame if you give up without a fight, Kennedy said. MORE The pecinct in which most Winona State University dorm students live went heavily for Klochubar, 385 to 243. Indpendence candidate Robert Fitzgerald was a distant third. With all eight Winona precincts with heavy student populations, voters were 3,067 for Klochubar, 1,426 for Kennedy, and 184 for Fitzgerald. MORE Klochubar had rallied at Winona State University with fellow Democrat Tim Walz, who won his Congressional bid, to promote her vision for change in Iraq, health care and tax cuts for the upper class. Klochubar said she she would work for the middle class to help achieve affordable universal healthcare. She also promised to work for a strategy change in in Iraq to bring U.S. troops home. She pointedly criticized President Bush's policies. MORE Kennedy also visited Winona but was low key. Only around seven students attended his meet and greet conversation at Blooming Grounds Coffee Shop on Oct. 31. Kennedy told the small crowd he believed mistakes were made in Iraq but said that the troops need to stay and finish what was started to create security for the United States. MORE In Winona County, Klochubar's led Kennedy 11,183 to 7,493. Independence candidate Robert Fitzgeald was a distant third. Reporter: Jessica Pluth

PHOTOGRAPHER: SAMUEL KEANE-RUDOLPH SENATOR-ELECT? Klochubar spoke at a Democratic candidates' rally at Winona State last week.

Pelowski trounces Reiman to keep House seat

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- Veteran Winona legislator Gene Pelowski, who has championed education causes for 20 years in the State House of Representatives, swept aside political-newcomer Lewie Reiman. The margin was more than 2:1 in Winona County, which dominates House District 31-A. Pelowski, a Democrat, had been favored to win re-election. He didn't campaign much and even snubbed one scheduled debate by not showing up. Reiman, a Republican who farms near Utica in western Winona County, was making his first bid for public office. Reporter:

PHOTOGRAPHER: SAMUEL KEANE-RUDOLPH GENE PELOWSKI At a Winona State University campaign rally with fellow Democrats Amy Klochubar, U.S. Senate candidate, and Sharon Ropes, State Senate candidate.

Kryzsko precinct judge denies data to reporter

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ELECTION 2006

PHOTOGRAPHER: LYDIA OGLESBY

ELECTION TAXICAB Ride to the polls for West Campus dwellers at Winona State University were available on this dented van held together not by duct tape but Democratic candidate posters. The van and its drivers claimed no university affiliation.

Background:

Win or lose, governor candidates, staffs to celebrate

UPCOMING EVENTS
ST. MARY'S	SOUTHEAST TECH	WINONA STATE

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ELECTION 2006

PHOTOGRAPHER: LYDIA OGLESBY

LAST-MINUTE APPEAL FOR VOTES State Senate candidate Brenda Johnson, from Chatfield in the rural far west end of District 31, led supporters at Huff and Sarnia streets, near Winona State University, in beckoning motorists to vote her way. Johnson is the Republican in a hot three-way race to succeed State Sen. Bob Kierlin, R-Winona.

Background:

Certified poll-watcher denied access to precinct numbers

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- A Democratic poll watcher at Winona State University, senior Tim Donahue, filed a complaint after being denied access during the morning to the number of people who had voted in Third Ward precinct voting place on campus. Donhue said he had merely asked election judges at Kryszko Commons for the numbers. Donahue was carrying a certificate as an official Democratic challenger, which clearly states that he was entitled to public information, such as number of ballots submitted. He said he was denied information rudely. "I'm not so angry about the fact that I was denied to know the numbers, it was their attitude and how they denied me that frustrated me," Donahue said. MORE Donahue, former student vice president at Winona State, is no stranger to political processes. After the incident he told a reporter: "I have no intention of interferring with the voting, talking to any voters, or getting any other information aside from number of ballots submitted. This is such a simple thing, I should be able to get in, get the number, and be on my way." Getting up-to-date numbers of how many people have been out to vote is important, Donahue said, especially because the Third Ward has a heavy college student population. "It's good to see how many of our students are actually coming out to vote," he said. MORE After being denied the information, Donahue said, he spoke with the Winona County Auditor Cherie MacLennan, who is respopnsible for running elections county-wide, about whether his position as a Democratic challenger indeed gave him access to the number of ballots submitted. He quoted MacLennan as saying: "I don't know." At midafteroon Donahue was still waiting to hear back. MORE In St. Paul, the DFL Voters Protection Service ruled that Donahue's challenger certificate did not grant him authority for access to ongoing turnout numbers in the polling, but according the official DFL guide, it is not illegal to view that information. Said Donahue: "I'm not going to get worked up over this, because we'll get the numbers tonight anyway, but it is very frustrating to have to put up a fight." MORE Donahue was not the only campus Democrat making fuss. The chair of the College Democrats chapter on campus, Kendric Moore, told Donahue that he was asked to leave the polling area in Kryzsko Commons. Reporter: Rob Thoresen Background: Mid-day voting status in WSU neighborhood

TIM DONAHUE Certified Democratic poll challenger claims rude treatment

Mid-day WSU-area precinct reports

WARD 3, Precinct 4 City Hall 10:30 a.m.: The flow of voters was steady through mid-morning, said Dick McCoy, the precinct's chief election judge. Johnson, in his third year as an election judge, said that voters had been coming three or four at a time. By 10:30 there had been 130, he said. McCoy characterized the turnout as average. Although there hadn't been any lines, he pointed out during an interview that one was starting to form. The college student turnout? A few students had voted but not a significant number by mid-morning, McCoy said. He had no irregularities to report. Reporter: Paul Solberg 12:10 p.m. The morning turnout was respectable, according to election judge Dick Johnson. By 12:10 there had been 178 voters, which Johnson called especially good for this precinct, where he has worked for the past three years. Lines had as many as 10 people. Johnson said he expected longer lines during the usual rush around 4 in the afternoon. He attributed the turnout to city issues on the ballot. Also, he noted, temperatures are expected to rise higher than 55 degrees in the afternoon, which will encourage more people to vote. "The more the better," he said. Reporter: Amanda Baruch 5:15 p.m. The City Hall polling station was busier than past years, according to election judge Dick McCoy. McCoy said there had been "around 380 voters" by 5:15, which was more than he had seen in past expeience as an election judge. McCoy said the likely reason for more voters was new tax reforms. There had been three big surges of voters during the day, but other than that voting has been steady, McCoy said. There was nothing out of the ordinary, McCoy said. Reporter: Charlie Moburg			PHOTOGRAPHER: AMANDA BARUCH
TO EARLIER ITEMS TO TOP TO HOME TO NEWS ARCHIVE

Arkansas management prof a WSU dean finalist

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 7, 2006 -- A professor of management at the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith, Doug Grider, has made the short list of candidates for dean of business Winona State Univerity and has been scheduled for campus interviews, search Chair Troy Paino said. Grider holds a doctorate in management from Georgia State University and master's and bachelor's degrees in political science from Emory. He has 30-plus years at all faculty ranks, specializing in policy and strategy, human resource management, organizational behavior, and general management. From 1999 to 2004 he was dean of business at Lander University, a 3,000-enrollment state school in South Carolina. While Grider was dean, the Lander business propram won accrediation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Grider's scholarship includes more than 50 journal articles. MORE The Winona State business deanship as been filled in temporarily since 2004, when Ken Gorman moved up to acting academic vice president and, when his term ended, decided to return to the faculty. Gabe Manrique has been acting business dean in the interim. MORE A forum with Grider, to which Winona State faculty, staff and students are invited, has been scheduled at: Date: Monday, Nov. 13 Time: 9 a.m. Place: Purple Room 104, Kryzsko Commons

DOUG GRIDER New WSU business dean?

"Nickel and Dimed" author speaks at WSU

WSU senior wins business-ed award

Jackson to be given public defender

WSU class plans reception celebrating inclusion

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 6, 2006 -- A Winona State University gender studies class announced a reception celebrating the City Council's recent commitment to fostering an inclusive community. The reception is part of a class, taught by prof Cindy Killion, to broaden citizen involvement in making Winona a safe community for all. Students created and designed a logo for the Winona United project. Posters displaying the logo will be distributed throughout the community and will be available at the Nov. 15 event, along with buttons displaying the logo, organizers said. The reception precedes the Winona premiere of "The Shadow The Fire," a film about hate crimes by local filmmaker Scott Thompson. "The film," said Thompson, "is intended to be a reminder that hatred will destroy people from the inside-out unless we intentionally work to avoid that fire." Remarks by Thompson, Mayor Jerry Miller and Fred Lee of the Human Rights Commission will follow the film. Date: Saturday, Nov. 4 Time: 6:45 p.m. Place: Winona Arts Center, 228 E. Fifth St. Cost: Free

Student leaders pleased with Ramaley reversal on cars

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 6, 2006 -- The president of Winona State University, Judith Ramaley, didn't offer much detail on her turn-about decision on cars for a student Get Out the Vote project, said student President Carl Soderberg. He learned of Ramaley's decision by telephone after her cabinet met Monday morning. During the phone call, Soderberg said, Ramaley told him the decision came as a result of a new position by state-level student affairs director Steve Frantz on using state cars to drive sudents to the polls. Soderberg said that Ramaley didn't offer any rationale but was clear that the Student Senate would be allowed to rent non-university vehicles but not use Winona State. "As long as students have a ride to the polls, I don't care where the vehicle comes from," said Soderberg, "I'm sure she has her justifications." MORE The economics of a rental vehicles versus university vehicle are unclear The rate for a van from Enterprise rentals is $77.99 plus tax with free miles. The Senate’s original plan was to rent state-owned university vehicles. The standard rate for campus clubs is $22 and 25 cents per mile for state vehicles. Vehicles will be rented with money from a dorm activities fund, Soderberg said. MORE No shuttle will be provided for dorm students on the main campus, who live a mere Frisbee toss from their precinct voting place in the Kryzsko Commons building. Rides will be provided to and from the East Lake dorm, whose tenants vote at Central Fire Station on Third Street. Rides also will be provided for students living in West Campus dorms, who vote at St. Anne's hospice on West Broadway. MORE The issue had placed Ramaley in a bind. Over the summer a vocal community faction accused the university of manipulating a 2005 school election by propagandizing students and then delivering them to the polls. Although the faction offered only scant evidence, the outcry included a call for Ramaley to be removed as president. Also taking heat was polysci prof Darrell Downs and other profs who used their own cars to shuttle dorm students to their preceinct voting places. The Student Senate's voter project this fall threatened to incite community outrage again, particularly the Senate plan for campus security guards to give dorm students a lift to the polls. Although a strident advocate of civic participation by students, Ranaley was conflicted over appeares. At one point Ramaley said: "Running around with a van with a blazing 'W' on the side may not be the best solution." A pass-the-buck-upstairs solution appeared when Frantz, a St. Paul administrator, said flat-out that university could not be used on any campus for poll rides. The Frantz solution vaporized, however, when he was forced to back off by students who gave careful reading to state college sytem policies. Soderberg, as president of the Winona State Student Senate, called Ramaley's endorsement of Frantz's original position "incongruent with the "university's mission" for civic engagement. "This decision has hindered our ability to assure every student's opportunity to exercise their civic duty," Soderberg told Ramaley. MORE Liberal arts Sen. Jared Stene, an orgnizer of the Get Out the Vote project, was surprised by Ramaley's new position. "It's quite generous of them given the situation," said Stene. MORE With less than 24 hours before polls opened Tuesday, student senators began door-knocking at the East Lake dorm and the three West Campus dorms, to let students know when poll rides would be available. Rides will run from noon until 8 p.m. Senators also were encouraging students in other dorms to vote. MORE Meanwhile, a backup pan for volunteer drivers to transport students to the polls remain in place. Business Sen. Rick Howden, another Get Out the Vote organizer, had been working with political science prof Darrell Down to organize volunteer drivers since initially learning taht Frantz had outlawed using state-owned vehicles. Volunteer drivers are being coordinated by Downs in addition to the rides provided by university-rented vans, Howden said. Reporter: Lydia Oglesby Background: Ramaley allows WSU funds for poll rides Ramaley to revisit use of state cars WSU voting project hits top-level obstacles Soderberg: WSU car decision hinders civic duty WSU attorney: No on state cars for election project Verbatim: Chancellor aide switches position on state cars

WSU NOT ALONE Student Sen. Jared Stene, who represents liberal arts students, said that student planners at three other campuses, besides Winona State, had included state vehicles for poll rides: > Bemidji State > Southwest Minnesota State > Minnesota State-Moorhead CHAMPIONING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT CARL SODER- BERG JARED STENE RICK HOWDEN THE ISSUE IN A NUTSHELL RAMALEY: "Running around with a van with a blazing 'W' on the side may not be the best solution." SODERBERG: "As long as students have a ride to the polls, I don't care where the vehicle comes from." WHERE TO VOTE? The easiest way to find your voting location is to go the Minnesota secretary of state's Poll Finder and enter your address. WSU NEIGHBHOOD POLLING PLACES Ward 2, Precinct 1 St. Anne's Hospice 1347 W. Broadway Ward 2, Precinct 2 West Recreation Center 800 W. Fifth Ward 2, Precinct 3 Madison School (west entrance) 515 W. Seventh Ward 2, Precinct 4 Madison School (west entrance) 515 W. Seventh Ward 3, Precinct 1 Kryzsko Commons Huff and Howard Ward 3, Precinct 2 Lake Lodge Main and Lake Ward 3, Precinct 3 Central Fire Station 451 E. Third Ward 3, Precinct 4 City Hall SMU NEIGHBORHOOD POLLING PLACE Ward 1, Precinct 2 Living Light Church 850 Highway 14 WHEN TO VOTE 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

City OKs gravel for Garvin winery parking

Ramaley allows WSU funds for poll rides

WSU student collects gift packs for troops

WINONA, Minn., Minn., Nov. 5, 2006 -- A Winona State University grad student, Will Albertsen, is sponsoring a local collection drive for troops overseas a part of a national Operation Gratitude project. The drive kicks off with a collection Friday, at the Hy-Vee grocery store, Albertsen said. "There has been a lot of disagreement about the war," Albertsen said. "But even if you disagree with the war and how it was carried out, it is important to recognize the sacrifice our troops are making and to show them our appreciation." Nationwide, volunteers plan to assemble more than 40,000 care packages, he said. MORE For donations Albertsen suggested: Computer flash drives DVDs and CDs Phone cards Disposable cameras Screen-printed T-shirts Socks Small games Novelties Beanie Babies Packs of stationery Pens Used cell phones Letters Individually packaged snacks such as trail mix, jerky, dried fruit, cookies, nuts and seeds Energy, power and granola bars Cheese/peanut butter and crackers Powdered hot and cold drinks Ready-to-eat tuna or chicken salad packs Bbreath mints and gum Travel-sized sundry items like tissues, lip-balm, roll-on anti-perspirant, toothpaste, individually packaged toothbrushes Individually wrapped towelettes Foot powder Tobacco products Contact: Will Albertsen

WILL ALBERTSEN Seeks fun items, food, novelties

City hikes bar license fee

Ramaley revisits use of state cars for voting

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) NORTHERN SUN: THE WEEK AHEAD Metrodome Classic Concordia of St. Paul (4-4, 3-6) and UM-Crookston (0-7, 0-10) Bemidji State (7-0, 8-2) and Upper Iowa (3-4, 3-7) WSU (6-1, 7-2) and Wayne State (4-3, 5-5) Northern State (3-5, 4-6) aand Mary (0-0. 0-4) Southwest Minensota State (3-5, 4-6) and MSU-Moorhead (3-4, 5-5)

COMMENT: ENDORSEMENT TIM WALZ FOR CONGRESS For an Upper Midwest guy Tim Walz has special insight into the high-ed's importance to the nation in a shrinking and increasingly competitive world. A school teacher, he once taught in China. Since then Tim Walz has keep abreast as the Chinese have poured resources into their universities in their bid to be a global economic player. He sees the political implications -- the Chinese brand of a controlled society versus U.S. style freedoms. To compete, as Walz reitertes in his campaign theme for Congress, the United States must recommit resources to higher education. That's one reason that Walz deserves your vote. He'll do something about the assault against higher education that has marked the Bush years. MORE The Bush squeeze on funding for states, compounded by the Bush recession, forced Minnesota and other states into drastic cutbacks in college funding. The cuts precipitated massive tuition hikes as colleges tried desperately to offset the budget losses. In the Bush years the notion that accessibility to higher education is a social good has taken a beating. MORE Tim Walz promises to restore education to its former priority as an American value -- not only to compete with the Chinese but also because education is a value unto itself. How to do this? He wants a seat on the House Education Committee. He wants improved civic-service programs, modeled on the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps or military service, through which high-school grads can earn college tuition. He wants an end to the Bush administration cuts in Pell grants and other proven programs to help college students fund their education. MORE These are not made-today, broken-tomorrow promises. Walz genuinely likes college students. When in town he hardly ever passes a chance to visit Winona State. He's comfortable here. He shares our values. He knows our pain. He talks about making the American Dream accessible again. MORE Even if Walz weren't a strong higher-ed advocate, just about any alternative to incumbent Gil Gutknecht would be welcome. Gutknecht has been a Bush lackey -- at least until September, when that became a political liability. Gutknecht voted for the Bush slashes in Pell grants. Gutknecht backed Bush's curtailing of federal funds for state programs, which added to state-level higher-ed budget crises nationwide. Gutknecht voted for the Bush package that slashed Pell grants. As incredible as its seems, in a state that historically ahs valued accessibile higher education, Gutknecht has said that not everybody should go to college. Why? With a straight face, Gutknecht explained there aren't enough jobs for college grads. What, Congressman, is your job in Washington if not to nurture an economy with the kind of high-paying jobs that will keep the United States competitive globally? MORE On higher-ed, Gutknecht has been a six-term disaster in Congress. Tim Walz is what we need to end the embarrassment and start a turn-around.

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) NORTHERN SUN: STANDINGS Bemidji State Winona State Wayne State Concordia St. Paul Upper Iowa MSU-Moorhead Southwest Minnesota State Northern State UM-Crookston Mary CONFER- ENCE 7-0 6-1 4-3 4-4 3-4 3-4 3-5 3-5 0-7 0-0 OVER- ALL 8-2 7-2 5-5 3-6 3-7 5-5 4-6 4-6 0-10 4-4

BASKETBALL (WOMEN'S) Wisconsin 87, WSU 37

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) NORTHERN SUN WEEKEND GAMES WSU 30, WSU 34, Southwest Minnesota State 3 Northern State 26, Upper Iowa 20 MSU-Moorhead 32, UM-Crookston 6 Bemidji 26, Concordia of St. Paul 7 Wayne State 14, Missouri-Rolla 9

HOCKEY (MEN'S) UW-Eau Claire 6, SMU 5

FOOTBALL (MEN'S) WSU 34, Southwest Minnesota State 3

CROSS COUNTRY (MEN'S) WSU (19th of 20)

Street fight ends with serious eye injury

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 4, 2006 -- A fight that began outside Brothers on the downtown college bar strip early ended with a face full of glass shards a block away -- and perhaps the loss of one eye for a WInona State University studentt. Ryan Jacob Kronebusch, 23, was rushed early Saturday to Rochester, Minn., for surgery to remove glass that had penetrated his right eye. Doctors were unsure whether they could save the eye, police Sgt. Chris Nelson said. The fight, Nelson said, erupted from a sidewalk argument. Nelson, quoting the investigation report, said that the other man, from out of town, walked away, heading down the street to 117-1/2 Third and up the stairs to an aprtment, where he was staying with a friend. There, the report said, Kronehusch beat on a security door until finally the other man came down to the door and punched out the window. Shards went into Kronebusch's, accoridng to the report. Investigating offices said both men had been drinking. Kronebusch was taken to the Winona hospital for cuts, then to Rochester.

BROTHERS 129 W. Third St.

CROSS COIUNTRY (WOMEN'S) WSU (21st of 24)

State college system backtracks on vehicle use

Sheriff race: Brand cites record; Nelson claims inadequacies

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 3, 2006 -- Sheriff Dave Brand said in a re-election camapign interview that he has kept his county police agency on top of technology, including on-board computer access to records in squad cars. Brand's challenger for re-election, city police Sgt. Chris Nelson, called, however, for more technology. Nelson said that officers could be put back on the street if videoconferencing were used for initial court appeaarances. Under Brand, said Nekson, officers are used to escort prisoners to courtrooms for routine appaearanes that could be done by video. Reporter: Lisa Thorn Background: Audio: 26-minute public affairs program Background: Races that campus people are watching

HEAR THE NEWS LISA THORN Interviews sheriff candidates

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Railroad safety questions posed for WSU

WINONA, Minn., Nov. 3, 2005 -- The proposed expansion of tke Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad to bring coal from Wyoming across southern Minnesota would be "a horror story waiting to happen," a railroad safety expert told a town hall meeting at Winona State University. Larry Mann, who helped write the Federal Railroad Safety Act of 1970, cited statistics that between 2000 and 2005 the DM&E had 7-1/2 times more accidents than any other U.S. railroad. "I've studied a lot of railroads in my 40 years of practicing law, and this railroad is one of the worst I've ever seen," Mann said. Although the DM&E wouldn't run its own trains on tracks that dissect the Winona State campus, hazardous materials including anhydrous ammonia, ammonium nitrate and chlorine would be carried through campus on tracks for switching to the DM&E terminus on Winona's West End. The DM&E "can't move hazardous materials in a safe manner," Mann said. "This is a railroad that should not be operating." MORE The meeting, billed as informational, was organized by Track the Truth, a Rochester, Minn.-based organization that opposes the DM&E expansion. The meeting was sponsored by the Winona State dorm council. Speakers included Michael Bowler, a Winona State global studies prof; Travis Carlson, Winona State dorm council treasurer; Lynn Frederick, a Mayo Clinic hospital administrator; and Jerry Miller, mayor Winona. MORE Frederick told the audience that the Mayo Clinic in Rochester has serious concerns about the proposed project. "There is no way we could evacuate our hospitals in the event of a chemical spill," Frederick said. Frederick said on any given day about 910 patients are in the Mayo's Rochester hospitals. The DM&E's safety record is last among 43 major railroads in the United States, according to Frederick. Frederick used a diagram of downtown Rochester to illustrate the danger of anhydrous ammonia. If a tank car carrying anhydrous ammonia was involved in an accident and suffered a two-inch hole in it, people would need to be evacuated for one mile in each direction, according to Frederick. People within that perimeter would be in a condition that the Mayo Clinic refers to as "immediately dangerous to life and health." MORE Winona Mayor Jerry Miller said the city has a plan tat was instituted two years ago for an emergency near Winona State. Miller said the city plan includes a campus evacuation plan, should that ever be necessary. MORE DM&E has asked the federal government for a $2.3 billion loan to finance its expansion project. The loan would be the largest federal loan ever granted to a private enterprise. The DM&E has negotiated with cities along its route to provide funding for improved rail crossings, but Winona has not been included in those negotiations because the tracks through Winona are owned by the Canadian Pacific. Miller said if the loan is improved he will ask Sen. Norm Coleman, R-Minn., and whoever is elected as the U.S. representative and the new U.S. senator to work against the loan unless Winona's safety concerns are addressed.

JERRY MILLER Mayor

Reporter:

WSU former dean new UW-La Crosse prez