Feds: Lead levels in turf OK
WASHINGTON, July 31, 2008 -- Artificial turf like that at the Winona State University football field and as proposed at the Paul Giel track facility contains too little lead to be poisonous, the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission said. The commission said tests found alarming lead levels in artificial turf -- as much as 6,300 milligrams of lead per kilogram of turf, compared to normal levels of 400 in soil -- were misleading. The lead in artificial turf is in green pigment contained within the fibers. The lead is released into the air with sunlight and wear and poses little human danger, the commission said. Even so, manufacturers of Field Turf, Sprinturf, Sportex and other artificial turfs were asked to stop using lead-based paint in their products.Background: How much lead in synthetic turf?
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 30, 2008 At 11:40 a.m. a student reported being harassed through her Facebook account. |
WINONA, Minn., July 28, 2008 -- A Hitachi projector and Gateway laptop were reported missing at Southeast Tech after an inventory check. The equipment was valued at $3,000.
Interim deanship to WSU nursing grad chief
WINONA, Minn., July 25, 2008 -- A veteran nursing educator, at Winona State since 2002, has been appointed interim nursing dean. William McBreen will head the College of Nursing and Health Sciences during a search scheduled for this fall for a successor to Tim Gaspar, who left after 13 years for a deanship at the University of Toledo. McBreen's appointment, announced by university President Judith Ramaley, is effective Aug. 1.
McBreen holds a 1989 doctorate in nursing from the University of Texas-Austin in 1989. His nursing master's degree is from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Before joining the Winona State faculty, McBreen was chair of nursing at Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa, and later at South Dakota State. At Winona State he has been director of graduate nursing programs and helped develop the multi-state university nursing practice doctoral program. Background: WSU seeks interim dean Background: Ohio college taps WSU dean |  WILLIAM MCBREEN Takes on Gaspar mantle |
R.I.P.: John A. "Darby" Beck
WINONA, Minn., July 27, 2008 -- The owner of Charlie's D&D Bar Cafe, John Beck, died of a lung ailment at the hospital. He was 78. John and his wife Delores opened Charlie's on Second Street in 1962. The place was a downtown fixture, now at 170 W. Second but earlier a block down the street. Dolores died in 1993. John remarried. Off and on, Charlie's was a hangout for masscom students at Winona State University. The place remained on the itinerary of returning alums over the years.Magazine rethinks rankings to deter gaming
WASHINGTON, July 27, 2008 -- U.S. News & World Report is considering changing how it computes its law-school rankings to prevent schools from manipulating the system. Being considered is to begin including students whom some schools defer into part-time programs because of law admissions scores and to keep them from being statistical liabilities in the U.S. News ranking system. The magazines expressed concern that these part-time law programs aren't truly separate part-time but merely a vehicle to raise a law school's LSAT and undergrad GPA for its U.S. News ranking.Bardfest post-morten: Insightful for audiences
WINONA, Minn., July 27, 2008 -- A Shakespeare professor at Dartmouth College, Peter Saccio, praised both summer productions of the Great River Shakespeare Festival in a post-production review.
Both "The Taming of the Shrew" and "The Merchant of Venice" were given contemporary relevance, adding meaning to our day-to-day life, Saccio told a crowd at the festival's final Front Porch session after the final curtain. Saccio pointed to individual cast members in the crowd in commending their work. Saccio also lauded Paul Barnes, the festival's producing director: "He makes individual scenes that seem like problems on paper make sense."
Barnes, a festival founder, promised a sixth season, although he said the plays have yet to be been selected. Barnes called the fifth season "a watershed season" that established greater challenges. Background: Boy-actors rehearsing Bard music |  "Taming of the Shrew" June 27 through July 27 Performing Arts Center Winona State University |
Driver hits parked cars, keeps going
WINONA, Minn., July 26, 2008 -- A 24-year-old driver, drunk at the wheel, plowed into four parked cars about 2 a.m. on Third Street and kept on going, police said. She was stopped near Third and Liberty streets and arrested. Police said the woman's blood was 0.27 percent alcohol -- about 2-1/2 times what's legally allowed.| COURT CONVICTIONS WEEK ENDING JULY 26, 2008 IN WINONA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT LOUD PARTYING Amanuel L. Worku, 24, 307 W. Howard, $227.
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Probation for burglar nabbed under bed
WINONA, Minn,, July 24, 2008 -- A burglar arrested hiding under a bed in an upstairs Winona State University neighborhood apartment has been put on probation for five years. For the first 60 days Brent James Ingham, 28, will be hobbled with an electronic monitor. Ingham told Judge Leahy that he had entered an alcohol dependence program that was intent to turn his life around. Ingham was drunk when police, investigating a break-in, found him under a bed. The burglary was at 1:48 a.m. Jan. 4 in the 200 block of East Sanborn.Background: Burglar found under bed to plead guilty
 | EMPIRE BUILDER Reservation-only service to St. Paul and points west and to Milwaukee and Chicago |
Mayors call for more passenger trains
WINONA, Minn., July 23, 2008 -- Mayors of Wisconsin and Minnesota cities on the Canadian Pacific railroad corridor agreed to lobby for federal and state funding for more passenger train service between Chicago and St. Paul. Winona Mayor Jerry Miller, who organized a meeting of the mayor noted the gasoline crisis in saying the time is right for a second train. The only service now is a late-morning Chicago-bound train and an evening Seattle and Portland-bound train that carry the legacy name the Empire Builder from the old Great Northern Railroad.| MORE |
On average about 30 people a day board the trains in Winona. Stops are Red Wing and St. Paul upriver and La Crosse, Tomah, Wisconsin Dells, Columbus, Milwaukee and Chicago eastbound. In earlier times the train was heavily used by Winona college students for trips to the Cities, Milwaukee and Chicago, although student ridership has slipped with more students having automobiles.
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Mayor Miller told the Winona Daily News that he envisions a transportation center being built at the Amtrak depot, two blocks from the main Winona State campus, as a transportation. Buses and taxis would ferry people from the depot to communities throughout southeast Minnesota and across the river to Wisconsin.
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 23, 2008 A parent phoned at 6:50 a.m. to report that his son's backpack was missing from the stadium. The son was attending a football camp. |
Texas study: Remedial programs no help
DALLAS, Texas, July 23, 2008 -- Remedial programs designed to improve underprepared students aren't working, according to a Texas study. Researchers Paco Martorell and Isaac McFarlin Jr. of the University of Texas-Dallas reported that students who took remedial courses were significantly less likely than comparably prepared students to complete at least one year of college or earn a degree or to get a job. The findings are at odds with studies in elsewhere, which Martorell and McFarlin said may be due to state-by-state differences in remediation policies or the quality of remedial programs.| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 22, 2008 A trouble alarm went off in the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at 9:29 p.m.. because a student had sprayed something in the room. A trouble alarm went off in the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at 12:28 p.m.because a sink had overflowed. |
One-time interim coach takes over SMU hockey
WINONA, Minn., July 21, 2008 -- High school hockey coach Bill Moore, who once was interim coach at St. Mary's University, will be returning to the Cardinals as head coach. Moore replaces Don Olson, who resigned to become athletic direct at the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minn. Moore was assistant coach at St. Mary's 29 years ago subbed for Olson for one season. More recently Moore has coached at Tartan High School in South St. Paul, Minn., and at the Woodbury, Minn., high school. At St. Mary's he inherits a team that amassed a 9-14-2 record last season.| MORE |
As a high school coach, Moore is a three-time section coach of the year. In 2007 he was honored for long-term service to high school and youth hockey.
 | WINONA COLISEUM? |  |
City accepts $250,000 for coliseum planning
WINONA, Minn., July 21, 2008 -- The City Council voted 6-1 to accept a state planning grant for a multi-purpose coliseum for sports, conventions and performing arts. Council member Deb Salyards dissented. Salyards expressed one view in the Winona arts community that sports and the arts would be an unworkable mismatch in a single facility. Salyards position echoes the disaster of the Wilkie steamboat tourist center, which was built in 1986 as a multi-purpose facility but served no single purpose well and was dismantled this summer on the Council's orders.| MORE |
The City Council originally requested the planning grant for a theatrical and recital site but then broadened the concept under pressure from Winona State University , which which sought a bigger basketball arena, and the local tourism industry, which sought more convention and trade show space. The expanded facility has been projected to cost $30 million, mostly in state funds and local donors with tourism and commercial interests. The planning grant, approved this spring by the state Legislature, is for $250,000.
Background: Arts community wary at being left out
Should vets be excused from college loans?
WASHINGTON, July 20, 2008 -- The American Council on Education, a lobbying group for colleges, is opposing a proposal to require colleges to refund loans to students who are called to active military duty in mid-semester. The Council position, articulated in a letter to Congressional committees, is that students who take out loans should not be allowed to opt out of the responsibility for repayment with colleges picking up the loss. At the same time, the Council has no problem if the government pays off the loans. The legislation is backed by the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, which has documented cases of vets struggling to get refunds.| COURT CONVICTIONS WEEK ENDING JULY 19, 2008 IN WINONA COUNTY DISTRICT COURT UNDERAGE BOOZING Patrick J. Bray, 19, Wykoff, Minn., $177. Trevor W. Cyphers, 19, Chatfield, Minn., $177. Patrick R. Davis, 20, 570 Prairie Island Road, 30 days and $377. Ethan J. Kohner, 18, 945 43rd St., $180. Alexander A. Wohlers, 19, Altura, Minn., $675.
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Getting raucous in the hot tub
WINONA, Minn., July 19, 2008 -- Police ticketed two men, age 24 and 23, for a loud backyard hot-tub party in the 150 block of East King Street after neighbors complained about 2:30 a.m. The noise was carrying more than 60 feet, police said. Once there, the cops found eight people partying in the tub.Walz re-election warchest at $1.2 million
ROCHESTER, Minn., July 19, 2008 -- The re-election warchest of Rep. Tim Walz, D-Minn., grew $438,000 in the latest three-month reporting period. In all, Walz has $1.2 million to seek a second term. Walz's likely Republican challenger, Mayo physician Brian Davis, raised $391,600 in the same period. The Davis total includes a $100,000 infusion of his own money. Davis, a first-time candidate, holds the 1st Congressional District GOP endorsement. But the party primary Sept. 9 also has 18-year State Sen. Dick Day of Owatonna on the ballot. Say reported second-quarter fundraising of $10,600.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
Police whiz-patrol nabs two
WINONA, Minn., July 19, 2008 -- The cops long have known the 100 block of East Third is where revelers realize they got to take a whiz on their way home after the bars close. There, in an alley at 1:12 a.m., they spotted a 22-year-old spraying away. He acknowledged the deed and took a ticket. At 1:29 a.m., the cops spotted another urinator, age 22, in the alley. He to was ticketed.U.S. Congressman's wife now college president
BELLEVILLE, Ill., July `18, 2008 -- The wife of Congressman Jerry Costello, an 11-term Democrat whose district includes the three-campus Southwestern Illinois College, has been named the college's president. The college's governing board unanimously chose Georgia Costello and cited her experience with education and local needs. She is a former junior high principal who recently was an assistant superintendent in a regional office of education. Asked whether her husband's political rile helped her get the job, she said: "I also have my career, and I think he's extremely proud of me."Governor's wife's salary hike being reviewed
RALEIGH, N.C., July 18, 2008 -- A state-level review has been ordered into an $80,000 raise to Mary Easley, who is the wife of Gov. Michael Easley, at North Carolina State University. The chair of the system's governing board, Hannah Gage, said that the 88 percent raise had not come before the board even though board approval is required if increases greater than 15 percent or $10,000.Background: $80,000 faculty raise defended for governor's wife
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 18, 2008 A trouble alarm went off in the John Nett Center at 11:10 p.m. br /> |
 | VISTA DEL SOL Privately owned and operated on-campus student housing can be swank |
Living "outside the box" at Arizona State
TEMPE, Ariz., July 17, 2008 -- A 2,000-bed luxury dorm, built around a resort-like swimming pool, will have its first tenants this fall at Arizona State University, signaling what some experts see as a major shift in student housing. The dorm, Vista de Sol, is on campus but was built, owned and operated by real estate developer American Campus Communities Inc. The shift would be away from the tight control that U.S. universities have kept on student housing and dorms, which are cash cows. The private on-campus dorms address universities problem coming up with financing for dorms with the amenities that a new generation of students expect.| MORE |
American Campus Communities, of Austin, Texas, spent $130 million to build Vista del Sol. The company has a long-term ground lease from the university. The university incurred no long-term debt for the construction of a dorm that will be dazzling centerpiece in recruiting students. Amenities include individual rooms, private bathrooms, aand tanning salon, a basketball court and of course, the showcase pool. Rents start at $300 a month and range up to $1,000.
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Vista del Sol is the company's biggest on-campus dorm not not its only. Nationwide the company has 92,100 beds. Other companies also are in what's being call a growth segment of the sagging national real estate economy. The second largest player in privately operated dorms, Educational Reality Trust of Memphis, Tenn., has 41,500 beds.
Wide turn leaves to drunken driving arrest
WINONA, Minn., July 18, 2008 -- After potting a motorist swing wide onto Main Street near Third and almost hitting a median at 11:5 p.m, police stopped the car. As the officer suspected, the driver was drunk, blowing 0.17 into a device that checks the percent of blood-alcohol content. The drunken driving threshold in Minnesota is 0.08 percent. She went to the station house.R.I.P.: Linda Marie (Privet) Peterson
CALEDONIA, Minn., July 18, 2008 -- A Winona Tech School alum, Linda Peterson, died at her Caledonia home at age 56. She worked 26 years for APN Inc. as a purchasing agent.Consumer guide available on deceptive loans
WASHINGTON, July 21, 2008 -- The Federal Trade Commission issued a guide for college students on how how to spot deceptive college-loan marketing and how to file a complaint against a lender. The guide is a response to Congressional for government agencies to address abuses in the unregulated private student-loan market. Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., chair of the House education committee, welcomed the FTC guide: "For too long, students have had virtually no protection from the confusing, misleading, and even predatory marketing materials." Miller is backing a proposed requirement tat private lenders to provide students s with disclosures about terms and conditions, and also to notify them that they may qualify for lower-cost federal loans.| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 17, 2008 Atrouble alarm went off in the Prentiss-Lucas dorm at 7:18 a.m. Somebdy had had dispersed talcum powder in a hall, which activated the alarm. An individual was stipped video taping areas within Sheehan Hall at 10:45 a.m. Administrators were informed. A football player was injured at the football field at 11 a.m. He was taken to the hospital. |
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 16, 2008 A man who had passed out was assessed and sent on his way. A 1:13 a.m. police reported arresting an individual for the theft of an on-campus garbage can. A runner passed out on the football field at 11:13 a.m. and was taken to the hospital. |
No Division I teams in WSU exhibition plans
WINONA, Minn., July 16, 2008 -- The pre-conference basketball season schedule for Winona State University, unlike last year, is devoid of any Division I teams. Last year's exhibition lineup included Division I Drake, Bradley and Minnesota. The new schedule, announced by coach Mike Leaf, includes with cross-town rival St. Mary on Nov 15. The next week the Warriors have three games in Hawaii, two against Brigham Young satellite campus near Honolulu.
The schedule: If the season goes well for the Warrior, the reigning Division II national champions, there are the NCAA regional championships March 17-17 and the Elite Eight national championships March 25-28. |
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Poock named all-star coach
| LA CROSSE, Wis., July 15, 2008 -- Winona State University baseball coach Kyle Poock participated in the U.S. Military All-Stars vs. La Crosse All-Stars game at Copeland Park. Poock helped lead the La Crosse All-Stars to a 5-4 victory over the U.S. Navy. On the Navy team was former Winona State player Jess Thill, who was player-manager. |  POOCK, THILL Reuniting |
Bostrack appointed new district court judge
WINONA, Minn., July 15, 2008 -- An assistant Winona County prosecutor, Nancy Bostrack, has been appointed to one of three Winona judgeships. The announcement was made at the courthouse by Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The governor commended Bostrack for her legal strengths and demeanor. Bostrack brings wisdom and perspective to the bench, he said. Bostrack succeeds Margaret Shaw Johnson, who has retired.| MORE |
Bostrack was among three candidates recommended by the state Commission on Judicial Selection. The other: Former county attorney Lisa Swenson and civil trial lawyer Daniel Heuel, both of Rochester. Pawlenty said all were solid candidates.
| MORE |
A the announcement, in a crammed courtroom, was Bostrack's husband Paul, a deputy Winona police chief, and their twin kindergarten sons.
Background: Retirement beckons for Judge Johnson
Prof paid for dmissal over Adam and Eve view
CRESTON, Iowa, July 14,2008 -- Southwestern Community College setlled a wrongful-termination lawsuit filed by a history instructor who claimed he was fired for teaching the biblical story of Adam and Eve as a myth. Terms were not announced. The instructor, Steve Bitterman, claimed thatis the college had sided with students who complained about his course content. Bitterman has since left the faculty.Ventura sitting out U.S. Senate race
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn., July 14, 2008 -- Former Gov. Jesse Ventura dashed speculation that he may join the U.S. Senate race, which has narrowed to incumbent Republican Norm Coleman and Democrat Al Franken. In an interview on CNN, Ventura left the door open to change his mind "if God speaks to me." Ventura said that God had never spoken to him before but that he couldn't dismiss the possibility, especially considering how President George Bush has attributed some of his tough decisions to messages from the Almighty.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
WSU student leader takes Army Reserve title
FORT MCCOY, Wis., July 13, 2008 -- The Winona State University's student president, David Obray, placed first in the Best Warrior competition for the Army Reserve at Fort McCoy. As the Army Reserve's Soldier of the Year, Obray now moves into competition against the top soldiers from each of the Army's other 11 commands beginning Sept. 28 at Fort Lee, Va. "I am extremely honored by the title, Army Reserve's Soldier of the Year, and in deep respect of those who wear and have worn the Army uniform," Obray said. "I will try my best to represent them as well as they deserve at the Department of the Army competition this fall."
At Fort McCoy, Obray was up against 31 other Reservists in tests of strength, endurance, skills and knowledge. As a reservist, Obray is a heavy equipment operator in a Mankato-based unit. He has been in the Army Reserve 2-1/2years. Background: WSU reservist named soldier of year |  DAVID OBRAY New title: Best Warrior |
$80,000 faculty raise defended for governor's wife
RALEIGH, N.C., July 13, 2008 -- The provost of North Carolina State University, Larry Nielsen, said that an $80,000 to prof Mary Easley, who is the wife of Gov. M ichael Easley, is justified by the management role she has come to play at the university. Nierlson called Easley an "executive in residence." Her new salary is $170,000, which Nielseion called "within the range of similar management and law faculty and administrator."| MORE |
Easley previously was a law prof at North Carolina Central University. At North Carolina State she has directed the university's principal speakers program and run a spring-semester law course for public administrators." His new responsibilities will include a program develop to develop partnerships with legal professionals and other law schools.
Background: $80,000 faculty raise defended for governor's wife
Hurling a stop sign decathlon-like
WINONA, Minn., July 12, 2008 -- Police said they nabbed three hooligans who uprooted stop sign at Wabasha and Market streets and then one of them hurled it decathlon-style into that front yard of the Watkins nursing home. Yes, police said, the three guys had been drinking. The incident was about 1:30 a.m. The men, ages 22 and 21, fled after disposing of the sign in the Watkins lawn, but the cops gave chase and caught them. Charges were pending of theft and damage to property.| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 11, 2008 A trouble alarm went off in the Library at 18:10 a.m. An electrician was summoned. An elderly man fainted in Somsen Hall at 7:05 p.m. He was taken to the hospital. |
Obray moves to beef up communication
WINONA, Minn., July 10, 2008 -- The new student president at Winona State University, David Obray, has created a special committee to take over student-sponsored blood drives and volunteer projects. Obray said he will ask the Senate when fall semester begins to add the committee to the Senate structure permanently. The chair will be the Senate's outreach coordinator, Obray said. He envisions projects like highway clean-ups, coordinating student volunteering efforts with Winona Volunteer Services, working with the university's community liaison officers, and handling other events that promote community relations.
Obray said he sees the chair of the new do-good committee being compensated. Chairs of the Senate's six existing standing committees are paid $300 a semester.
The functions of the new committee have been handled in the past by the Senate committees for public relations and student services, but Obray said he wants to re-focus Senate public relations on communication. The new committee, he said, "will ease the burden on the student services and public relations committees agenda." Obray built his spring election election for the student presidency on a need to put the Senate in touch with students and, as he has put it, "escape the club-house atmosphere."
The public relations committee's new mission, he said, will be to find mechanisms to tap student opinion and to communicate Senate's activities and reasoning to local and campus news media. Obray said he and Sen. Sean Gau, a masscom major who is Obray's interim public relations chair, understands the direction that the Senate needs to go in improving communication. Obray said he likely will ask the Senate to confirm Gau as public relations chair in he fall.
Gau was among six senators to whom Obray gave interim trial summer appointments. The others: Chris Brignull, student services; Justin Hiniker, academic affairs; Nate Lynne, technology; Josh Martin, legislative affairs; and August Whipple, cultural diversity. Background: Comment: Cemmittee chairs on trial for summer Background: Obray expectation: Committee accountability Background: Obray looks to change recent legacy |  DAVID OBRAY Wants new committee for student volunteerism, community service, outreach |
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RECENT DAYS IN THE CITY POSTED JULY 10, 2008 WILKIE DEBRIS. It would have been kinder to somehow have floated the Wilkie steamboat replica on the Levee out into the main channel of the Mississippi and let the concrete tourist attraction sink. No, the Wilkie, still looking good from a distance, was reduced to a pile of debris by the blows of a backhoe. The destruction ended more than 20 years for the Wilkie, which was built with hoopla as mini-convention center but which failed to attract much business.
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Pistons call on WSU's Flowers for summer duty
WINONA, Minn., July 10, 2008 -- Winona State University shooting guard Jonte Flowers has a post-graduation summer job with the Detroit Pistons. Flowers, who helped Winona State to two Division II national championships, was invited to join the Pistons for the National Basketball Association summer league in Las Vegas, Nev. The Pistons begin a five-game sumer schedule Friday against the Los Angeles Lakers. To sports editor Jeff Bersch of the Winona Daily, Flowers called the Pistons' invitation "a big opportunity."
Flowers had worked out with the Pistons before the NBA draft in June but didn't get a call. Bersch speculated that the summer opening was created last week when injury sidelined Alex Acker, a 2005 Piston draft pick. |  JONTE FLOWERS 6-foot-2 |
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 10, 2008 Fireifghters responded to an alarm in Kryzsko Commons at 10:18 a.m., a false alarm. |
Night of boozing ends in stabbing
WINONA, Minn., July 10, 2008 -- A rough night of belligerent drinking drinking and bar fights a 37-year-old man with knife wounds in the chest. Police said the man was found bleeding in a sidewalk outside a Third bar about 1:30 a.m. The man, before being taken to the hospital, told police that he had been "stabbed by Steve." A block away police stopped a man named Steve, who they said admitted to the stabbing but claimed self-defense. The man was carrying a folding pocket knife. Dried blood was in the 2-1/2 inch blade, police said. The man was arrested.| MORE |
Police Sgt. Chris Nelson said that witnesses reported the victim had been involved in at least three fights during the night. At the hospital he was stitched up and released. He had a 3/4-inch slash on his upper chest.
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The victim's blood-alcohol level was 0.26 percent, Nelson said. That's more than triple the 0.08 percent definition for drunken impairment. The arrested man's blood-alcohol was 0.15 percent, almost double the legal limit, Nelson said.
"Oh! That guy! Never been here"
WINONA, Minn., July 10, 2008 -- A 20-year-old woman lied about a man who sought refuge at her apartment about 1 a.m. after the cops were called to investigate several broken windows at 270 Center St., police said. Several witnesses said the man had fled to the woman's apartment, but she told officers that although she knew the guy he had never bee-en to her place, police said. Officers later spotted him leaving. She was cited with obstructing justice. The property damage issue remained under investigation, police said.WSU senior moves on in soldier contest
FORT MCCOY, Wis., June 10, 2008 -- Winona State University senior David Obray, a sergeant in the Army Reserve, competed with 27 fellow reservists in an Army-wide contest for reservist of the year. Reporter Chris Hubbuch of the La Crosse Tribune, who covered the Fort McCoy competition. called Obray a "chiseled warrior" who does pushups for breakfast. That is in contrast to Obray's oft-told story about being 300 pounds in high school. His mother called him a 5-foot-8 "chunk" back then. The winner of the Fort McCoy competition will go on this fall to compete with soldiers, reservists and regular Army soldiers, from all 12 Army commands worldwide. At Winona State, Obray, 22, is beginning a year as student president.Background: Reservist named engineer command's top soldier
Wiscoy retiree running for School Board
WINONA, Minn., July 9, 2008 -- A retired business operator who has taught computer science part-time at Winona State University and Southeast Tech, David Kulas, registered to run for the School Board. Kulas, 61, is seeking the District 4 seat held by Winona State speech prof Kelly Herold. The district comprises rural southern Winona County. Kulas, who lives in Wiscoy Township. has been a substitute teacher in Winona schools. He said he would donate his salary as a School Board member to a Southeast Tech scholarship fund.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
Winecke promotedf to head SMU baseball coach
WINONA, Minn, July 9, 2008 -- A St. Mary's assistant baseball coach, Nick Winecke, who himself lettered four years as a Cardinal, has been named the university's head coach. Winecke succeeds Nick Whaley, who resigned after 12 seasons for a teaching and coaching job at Cotter High School. As an undergrad at St. Mary's, Winecke was an all-conference player. Last season he was Winecke's top assistant. The team was 10-21 for the season.Background: SMU baseball coach Whaley leaving
Sales veteran seeks Petersen's School Board seat
WINONA, Minn., July 9, 2008 -- A suburban Goodview sales rep, Gary Shurson, has fled papers for the Winona School Board seat held by retired game warden Fred Petersen. Shurson, 61, said he wants students to have a quality education. Also, he said, taxpayers deserve value for their investment in schools. Shurson has 30 years in transportation sales. Currently he is with R&L Carriers. Petersen has not announced whether he will seek another term from District 5 seat, which covers northern reaches of Winona County, . He has been criticized for extended leaves for seasonal flying jobs in Alaska. Petersen is from Rollingstone.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
STATE, LOCAL FILING PERIOD ENDS JULY 15
WINONA, Minn., July 9, 2008 -- Important dates leading up to the November 2008 elections:
Aug. 25-28: Democratic national convention, Denver
Sept. 1-4: Republican national convention, St. Paul
Sept. 9: Local primaries to reduce races to two candidate
Nov. 4: The big day
| MORE |
Races that Winona campus people are watching:
U.S. PRESIDENCY
John McCain (Republican): Arizona senator
Barack Obama (Democrat): Illinois senator
| MORE |
U.S. SENATE
Minnesota
Mike Cerisi (Democrat): Speculation abounds that he may re-enter race
Norm Coleman (Republican): Has party nomination for second term
Al Franken (Democrat): Has party endorsement
U.S. HOUSE
District 1 (southern Minnesota)
Dick Day (Republican): State senator from Owatonna
Brian Davis (Republican): Mayo Clinic physician; holds convention endorsement>
Tim Walz (Democrat): Incumbent; holds convention endorsement
| MORE |
MINNESOTA HOUSE
District 28-B
Mostly Wabasha County
Steve Drazkowski, Wabasha (Republican): Has announced candidacy
Linda Pfeilsticker, Wabasha (Democrat): Holds party's district endorsement
Distict 31-A
Mostly Winona County
Gene Pelowski, Winona (Democrat): Filed for 12th term
Rhett Zenke, Winona (Republican): Formed a campaign committee
| MORE |
MAYOR
Jerry Miller: Incumbent
Haakon Nelson: Nextel customer service rep
Clarence Russell: Former Goodview city clerk
John Skalitzky: Former Winona State University student senator
CITY COUNCIL
1st Ward (Far West End)
Al Thurley (incumbent): Expected to seek re-election
CITY COUNCIL
3rd Ward (Central city, including WSU)
Deb Salyards (incumbent): Expected to seek second term
CITY COUNCIL
At-large
Debbie White (incumbent): Expected to seek second term
| MORE |
COUNTY COMMISSION
3rd District (western townships, Altura, Elba, Rollingstone, St. Charles)
Rudie Spitzer: Has registered to be on ballot
Jerry Heim (incumbent): Decided against seeking re-election
Mara Kaehler: Has registered to be on ballot
Greg Kuehntopp: Has announced candidacy
Steve Herrick: Has announced candidacy
Bernie Siebenalrk: Has announced candidacy
COUNTY COMMISSION
4th District (downtown, West End)
Dave Stoltman (incumbent): Has registered to be on ballot
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SCHOOL BOARD
4th District (central city)
Kelly Herold (incumbent): Expected to seek re-election
David Kulas: Has registered to be on the ballot
SCHOOL BOARD
3rd District (central city)
Vicki Englich (incumbent): Not seeking re-election
SCHOOL BOARD
5th District (Good iew and rural, exurban areas to north and west)
Fred Peterson (incumbent): Expected to seek re-election
Gary Shurson: Has registered to be on the ballo
Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
TRYING TO NUDGE HER AWAKE,
A FRIEND FELT HER BODY WAS COLD
NEW YORK, July 8, 2008 -- New details the binge-drinking death of Winona State University sophomore Jenna Foellmi in December are included in a national study by the Associated Press on college-age drinking. The morning after passing an important final exam, Foellmi an several other 20somethings were sprawled in beds and couches in a camous-area apartment. "When a friend reached over to wake her, Foellmi was cold to the touch," the AP reported. "The friend's screams woke up the others still asleep in the house." This all occurred as the university was beginning its mid-year commencement ceremony a block away in McCown gym.
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The AP quoted Foellmi's stepmother in Brownsville, Minn., that Jenna had called home after the physics exam on Tuesday morning and screamed: "I passed." Her stepmother said Jenna said she was going to celebrate by going out for a beer. "I said, 'You deserve one,'" Kate Foellmi said. The AP quoted police that Jenna had three beers during the day. But at house parties celebrating the end of the semester that night, she played beer pong, a drinking game, and downed some vodka too.
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The blood-alcohol poisoning that claimed her life is sealed in autopsy documents. The coroner called it "not compatible with life." The AP analysis, based on federal records of 157 deaths of college-age people, found their blood-alcohol averaged 0.40 percent -- five times the usually recognized maximum for drunken impairment. The AP reported that the number of binge deaths among people age 18 to 23 nationwide doubled from 18 in 1999 to 35 in 2001.
Background: Mom: Last day not all booze
Background: Autopsy: Foellmi died from alcohol
Court: Campus cops lack dorm access
OLYMPIA, Wash., July 7, 2008 -- The state Court of Appeals ruled that students have a constitutional expectation of privacy in their dorm hallways. The decision is another chapter from a 2006 arrest of a Washington State University student for a burglary. The appellate court upheld a trial judge who threw out the charges, saying the arresting officer had overstepped his authority by eavesdropping in a dorm hallway and then attempting a ruse to bring students out into the hallway. The university then adopted a policy giving officers explicit authority to patrol dorms. But the new ruling, which was unanimous, said that dorm students the same privacy protections as in a private home.West Virginia names interim president
MORGANTOWN, W.Va., July 7, 2008 -- A former leader of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, Peter Magrath, age 75, has been appointed interim president of the University of West Virginia. Magrath replaces Michael Garrison, who resigned after a bogus degree scandal involving the daughter of the governor. MaGrath is a former University of Minnesota president.|
RECENT DAYS IN THE CITY POSTED JULY 7, 2008 BLUFF-TOP PARK. The City Council voted unanimously to pay Winona radio mogul Jerry Papenfuss $500,000 for bluff-top property where he said he would otherwise build luxury homes. To preserve the bluffs from the development. Mayor Jerry Miller proposed a nature preserve. Also, Council members reported a record pubic response to prevent the development. Papenfuss, owner of all five Winona commercial radio stations, will receive annual payments of $125,000. Background CHRYSLER DEALERSHIP. Car dealer partners Bill Hutmacher and Mike Puetz, who own Sugar Loaf Ford have bought the half interest of another car dealer, Butch Walz, in the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealership. Walz retains the Buick, Chevrolet, GMC and Pontiac dealership.
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R.I.P.: Hazelmae (Bakken) Hodge
WINONA, Minn., July 7, 2008 -- A retired cook at Winona State and St. Mary's universities, Hazelmae Hodge, died at home at age 82. She was at Winona State 15 years and St. Mary's seven years She retired n 1996.| MORE |
Hodge was grandmother to Stacy Smith, the Winona State psychology student who was murdered in 2004, as was Smith's 10-year-old daughter Taylor. An unborn child also died. A former Smith boyfriend is serving life for the crimes.
Background: Life sentence for Gordon in murders
Englich to give uo School Board seat
WINONA, Minn., July 7, 2008 -- School Board member Vicki Englich won't seek a second term because she wants to avoid conflicts with her community liaison job at Winona State University. Englich, a long-time community activist, was elected in 2004. Her husband, Winona State history prof Alex Yard, died within a year. Later she took her university job. "My life has changed 180 degrees," she said.Background: Cancer claims WSU faculty leader
Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
Cops bust three cruising celebrants
WINONA, Minn., July 5, 2008 -- Holiday celebrating backfired for three guys whom police stopped in a car ear Broadway and Johnson streets a little before 1 a.m. The driver, 18, was cited for speeding and, his blood showing a 0.13 percent alcohol level, for driving. A blood-alcohol percentage above 0.08 is illegal in Minnesota. On a passenger, also 18, police found marijuana and drug paraphernalia. A second passenger, ago 16, was ticketed for being out after curfew and also for underage boozing.Louisiana law urges evolution alternative
BATON ROUGE, La., July 5, 2008 -- Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed legislation urging Louisiana public schools to foster "critical thinking" about evolution, global warming, and other topics. Jindal, who's been to college, in fact majored in biology at Brown University, had been lobbied by at least one former prof to veto the bill. The bill has been widely viewed as an entry intelligent design into science classes.A circuitous route for spilled beer
WINONA, Minn., July 4, 2008 -- To police it looked like a 25-year-old man was peeing on a fence in the 200 block of Third Street after bar-closing time. Not so, he said, explaining that the wet spot on his trousers was from beer he'd spilled. Pressed, the man admitted that the beer had passed through his plumbing and that he indeed he had been peeing in a public place He was ticketed. The incident was at 1:30 a.m.He screeched his way to jail
WINONA, Minn., July 4, 2008 -- A 23-year-old motorist, his pedal to the floor and squealing his tires, was stopped by police near Fourth and Market streets and arrested for drunken driving about 1:07 a.m. The man's blood-alcohol percentage, at 0.15, was almost double the allowable limit, police said. Also, police said, the man had no car insurance documents."Tallgrass" art in WSU exhibit
WINONA, Minn., July 4, 2008 -- An exhibit of watercolors and drawings, "Plant Studies from the Tallgrass Prairie," by George Olson, a Lake City, Minn., native, are on exhibit at Winona State University through AUg 8. Olson is a retired art prof at Wooster College in Ohio. Olson's book, "The Elemental Prairie: Sixty Tallgrass Plants," was published in 2005. He also contributed a number of medieval plant illustrations to Paul Christianson's "The Riverside Gardens of Thomas More's London."Date: Through Friday, Aug. 8
Time: 7:30 a.m.- to 9 p.m. weekdays, 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays
Place: Krueger Library
Cost: Free
Contact: Greg Neidhart at 507-457-2842
Good idea: Stash those fuzzy dice
WINONA, Minn., July 4, 2008 -- One thing led to another after the cops stopped a driver near Fifth and Johnson streets about 2:08 a.m. First there were those fuzzy dice flapping from the rear-view mirror, an obstruction of vision. Then the driver couldn't produce insurance documents. By then, the officer was sure that the driver's breath was heavy with booze. Yes, a field sobriety test found his blood-alcohol level 20 percent above the 0.08 percent max allowed under law, police said.College tries blocking bar's expansion
SCRANTON, Pa., July 3, 2008 -- To discourage underage and binge drinking, the University of Scranton has gone to court to block the expansion of the Goodfellas sports bar across the street from campus. Goodfellas was planning a basement area for pool tables, live music and more beer taps. The university sees more underage drinking and criminal activity in the neighborhood. The university also raised concerns about the safety of a crowded bar basement. Earlier the university tried to get a liquor license denied for Goodfellas but backed off after the owner agreed to close earlier on weekday nights.| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 3, 2008 Security guards assisted at a house fire across from Memorial Hall at 1:12 a.m. A trouble alarm went off at Wabasha Hall at 8:35 a.m. An electrician was called. |
WSU taps grad for alumni job
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- A former student leader at Winona State, Mike Swenson, who worked his way up the ranks as a university fundraiser, has been named director of alumni relations. Swenson has been interim director since November, after a year as associate director in 2006. His alumni projects have included regional alumni groups ad development of an online alumni network. Earlier Swenson was a director of major gifts. Before that he was a student recruiter.
The appointment was announced by Jim Schmidt, the university's fundraising vice president. Schmidt cited Swenson for "special insight as an alumnus." Swenson holds bachelor's degree in business administration and a master's in education leadership. Both degrees are from Winona State. |  MIKE SWENSON New alumni director |
Background: Candidate leaves alumni job hunt
Pelowski formally opens bid for 12th term
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- As expected, State Rep. Gene Pelowski, D-Winona, has filed his candidacy for re-election. Pelowski,now in his 11th term, was among the first to file when a 150day registration period opened. His 31A District includes most of the Winona County population and extends south into Houston County. Pelowski's Republican challenger is expected to be Rhett Zenke.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
64 frosh seek Student Senate roles
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- At the recent Winona State University freshman orientation, 64 students signed applications for affiliate positions on the Student Senate, student President David Obray said. The affiliates, who are non-elected participants who work mostly as Senate committee members, are key in revitalizing the Senate, OBray said. He is working on "dividing up multiple-levels of student representation among committees" as part of a plan to, he said, transcend the "club-house atmosphere" that has plagued the Senate.Winona teacher puts name on ballot
WABASHA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- School teacher Linda Pfeilsticker, who is bidding against for the State House, filed registration papers to challenger incumbent Steve Drazkowski. Pfeilsticker, a Democrat, narrowly lost to Drazkowski in a special election last year when veteran House District 28B Rep. Steve Sviggum, resigned to accept an appointment to a state agency. Pfeilsticker teaches at the Winona high school. Drazkowski, a Republican, also of Wabasha,has said he will second a full term in the November election. District 28B stretches from north Winona County through the more populous parts of Wabasha County into parts of Goodhue County.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
| WSU SECURITY REPORT JULY 1, 2008 An individual reported that sometime over the past three weeks her bicycle was taken from the area between Somsen and Phelps halls. Police were notified. |
Winona teacher puts name on ballot
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- Among candidates registering for ballot positions on the opening day of filing were two hopefuls to represent west and north reaches of Winona County on the County Board. Both Mena Kaehler and Rudie Spitzer filed the necessary documents. The District 3 seat on the Board is being vacated by Jerry Heim of St. Charles.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
University revokes Mugabe honorary degree
AMHERST, Mass., July 2, 2008 -- The University of Massachusetts governing board unanimously has withdraw an honorary doctorate that was awarded in 1986 to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. In recent years Mugabe has come to be seen as a tyrant willing to trample human rights to stay in power -- contrary to his younger reputation as an anti-colonial freedom fighter. The University of Massachusetts trustees' reconsideration of the degree followed a student petition to renounce Mugabe. In recent years the University of Michigan and of the University of Edinburgh also have rescinded honorary degrees to Mugabe.Background: Pressure mounts to revoke Mugabe honor
University president jailed after drunken-driving stop
EVANSVILLE, Ind., July 2, 2008 -- The University of Evansville president, Stephen. Jennings, 61, was arrested after, police said, he weaved among lanes, drove over a median, and almost hit several construction site barrier. A breath test showed a blood-alcohol content of 0.14 percent, nearly twice the legal limit. Jennings also failed three physical tests of his sobriety, police said. Police also said Jennings was slurring. Initially, police said, Jennings said he had not been drinking but later admitted to two beers. Jennings has been at Evansville since 2001.| PUBLIC POLICY NOTES POSTED JULY 1, 2007 |
PERSONAL DEBT. Democrat Tim Walz, a freshman elected to Congress from southern Minnesota, has credit card debt in the $75,000 to $120,000 range, according to a legally required document he filed. In addition, the mortgage on his Manakto, Minn., home is in the $150,00 to $350,000 range, he reported. Walz explained that he ran up the debt when he took a year off from his Mankato teaching job to campaign for Congress. |
Stoltman confirms new County Board bid
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- Incumbent County Board member David Stoltman has filed for re-election from District 4, which includes downtown Winona and the West End. No challenger has come forward.Background: Campaigns that campus people are watching
Stumbling drunk cited as underage
WINONA, Minn., July 1, 2008 -- Police suspected that a 20-year-old Winona State University student had been drinking too much after they spotted him stumbling around in the 100 block of West Wabasha Street about 2 a.m. A field sobriety test confirmed the man's blood alcohol more than 1-1/2 times the legal limit. He was cited for underage boozing.TIPS Every item ends with links to scoot elsewhere on the site. US |