WEEKEND
Date of infamy Veterans remember Pearl Harbor
» A6 More than teeth It’s lonely at the top of the food chain » D2
DECEMBER 7-8, 2013
Hospitable Whalan resort owners win state award » C1
Good giving There’s a right way to donate to charity » C3
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WEEKEND TV TODAY 3 p.m. | College hockey, Minnesota at Michigan State, FSN 7 p.m. | College football, Michigan State vs. Ohio State, Fox Miami at Timberwolves, FSN “Christmas at Rockefeller Center,” NBC 8 p.m. | “The Blacklist,” NBC SUNDAY Noon | NFL, Vikings at Baltimore, Fox 3:30 p.m. | NFL, Seattle at San Francisco, Fox 5 p.m. | NHL, San Jose at Wild, FSN 7 p.m. | “Amazing Race,” CBS
AREA NEWS PINE ISLAND | Tower Investments has donated land for a new elementary school and the Pine Island School Board has accepted. A3
OBITUARIES Page B2 Dean Garness, Red Wing William Hanna, Wyoming Carolyn Piper, Rochester Tyler Taylor, Rochester
PUNCHLINE “The tooth fairy will never believe this!” Joke on A2
INDEX
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The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train — and Santa Claus — returned to Rochester on Friday afternoon to help raise awareness, money and food for Channel One Regional Food Bank in its fight against hunger. Willy Porter and the Claytones performed festive holiday songs from the train’s boxcar stage for a crowd that braved single-digit temperatures. Go to postbulletin.com for video of the festivities.
Training center aims to get to root of child abuse BY JOHN WEISS
[email protected] WINONA — Amy Russell has spent years wading upstream. Now, she believes she is finally getting to the root of many social problems by helping end child abuse. Russell, the new executive director of the National Child Protection Training Center in Winona, said she began as a counselor for victims of crime, then got her law degree. When she began practicing law, she got into a case where a man high on drugs and a drunk man were suing each other for causing an accident. That was too much, so she decided to get out of that and work more with children. At a juvenile detention center, she found many youths who had some kind of maltreatment in their background. Russell said she saw police who were interrogating children instead of doing true forensic interviews. “I wanted to go upstream a little bit” to get to the root of the abuse, she said. She went on to become head of Corner House in the Twin Cities, where a nationally known system for forensic interviews was developed so they are good enough to be accepted in court. Now, she has taken over the National Child Protection Training Center at Winona State University. The center is a national leader in teaching social workers, attorneys, police and others how to investigate and prosecute abuse. It also works to help stop abuse in the first place by getting to its cause and working with families in turmoil to end abuse. In developing the interviewing system, she worked with Victor Vieth, the center’s emeritus director. Two weeks ago, Russell was a teacher of 30 people from across the country who were in Winona to improve their skills and learn how
John Weiss /
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Amy Russell, new executive director of the National Child Protection Training Center in Winona, talks about how to do forensic interviews with children during a training session at the center. to identify more than one form of abuse. Russell began by interviewing an actor trained to be like an abused child. Russell went through the steps of establishing rapport with “Rosie,” finding out what the child called different parts of the body and then discovering what happened. In the scenario, the girl’s mother had been dressing her up like a cowgirl and allowing men to have sex with the girl. Rosie, who rocked back and forth, said she liked dressing up in the purple outfit and also helping her family earn money. “Have you had touches on your body that were not OK with you,” Russell asked. “No,” Rosie said. But then she added, “Sometimes I’m not sure, but Mommy said it’s OK, and we are all doing our job.” She then described how “Jim” came over and had sex with her, describing it using names for geni-
tals that she had given earlier in the interview. Relying on an anatomically correct doll, Russell had Rosie show her how the sex was done. After returning to the classroom, Russell admitted she didn’t do everything perfectly and had students critique her work. Then it was time for the 30 to do their own interviews. That’s much of the future of the center, she said. In five years, Russell said she believes thousands more people will be trained in Winona or at a new center opening in February in northern Arkansas. That will further cement the system the center has put in place for training everyone involved in child abuse investigation. “We are absolutely headed in the right direction,” she said. “We’re pulling everyone together.”
Page B4: ‘Changing the world’ to protect children
University of Minnesota Rochester has agreed to buy three downtown properties from the city for $1.475 million in another step toward its future campus. The university and city officials recently worked out the details of the long-planned land transfer of 601 First Ave. SW., 609 First Ave. S.W. and 114 Sixth St. S.W. That means UMR will add the corner of Sixth Street Southwest and First Avenue Southwest as another piece for what is expected to be a 10-acre campus. The deal, which also includes demolition expenses and street assessment costs, still needs the final approval from the city council and the University’ of Minnesota’s Board of Regents. Doug Knott, the city’s downtown development director, anticipates the sale could be finalized by late January. “This has always been the plan. The timing is just right to do it now,” said Knott. The $1.475 million, which includes about $108,000 in street assessment fees, is expected to paid from the $14 million localoption sales tax funds allocated to UMR. The Knott city plans to place the majority of that money into its downtown abatement fund. A portion of the proceeds will reimburse the downtown abatement fund for the land acquisition and related costs. The university is preparing to issue a request for proposal before the end of the year to bring in someone to update its campus master plan, according to UMR’s Jay Hesley. “That’s the next step, update the master plan,”Hesley said. “The Regents would like to hear about it at their May meeting. The expectations are that we won’t have a completed plan by that time, but we will have part of it worked it out.” Hesley, UMR’s assistant vice chancellor for institutional advancement, says the community will have the opportunity to have input on the plan. This deal is the latest in the university’s real estate acquisitions in that area. UMR bought a two-story office building at 724 First Ave. S.W., across from the Rochester Area Family YMCA for $400,000 in October 2012. In 2010, it bought empty buildings at 701 S. Broadway and at 617 S. Broadway, for a combined total of $2.2 million. The buildings were demolished. The university still needs to purchase many other properties, including Hentges Glass Co., VFW Post 1215 and Scharf Auto Supply, to clear the way for its future campus plans. “We have an ongoing dialogue with the owners of the properties in planned campus area,” Hesley said.
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In the Know Dayton: Minnesota flags at half-staff for Mandela
Accident victim’s family helped by Facebook friends
Associated Press
just have a drawing for my customers, but did this on a whim,” he says. “I didn’t realize it would turn out this way, but it’s cool to be a part of it.” Dear Answer Man, In a Facebook message to the P-B, Amy says there’s a fundraiser on this: “I am still astonished at being chosen” for Facebook for a woman this assistance. “I hardly have words.” Regarding with Rochester connections her husband’s passing, she says, “Till this very whose husband recently moment it doesn’t feel real. It really hasn’t sunk in. was killed in a car wreck. Do you know anyEvery day I just want to wish for this nightmare to thing about this and is it a good cause? go away; I don’t understand why he was taken. We I do know something about this tragic story, had so many plans this next year. Build our new and how some good people are trying to help. home. Celebrate our 10-year anniversary. Go on Reed Hansen, who operates a sober cab service our honeymoon. The list goes on. ... He was loved and will always be loved by all who knew him.” in Rochester called Reed’s Safe Ride, posted this on his Facebook page last week: “Does anyone If you want to help Amy’s family through this have a friend or family member they are truly tough Christmas season, you can send donations thankful for this year? Someone that tried but to Reed’s Safe Ride, 831 Southern Ridge Drive can’t seem to get ahead? Someone that has a kid S.W., Rochester, MN 55902 or directly to a fund esor kids and doesn’t think they will be able to aftablished at her bank, Alerus Financial, P.O. Box ford to buy presents this year? ... Safe Ride would 6001, Grand Forks, ND 58206. A fundraiser is also like to take a family shopping for their kids this being planned at the Wicked Moose in Rochester year.” next month. Reed didn’t set a dollar amount for the shopRegarding the shopping trip with the money ping trip, but he said it would be at least $100 and he’s raising, Reed says he’s not sure about he’d take the recipient shopping the weekend whether that will happen here or in Grand Forks, before Christmas. He asked Facebook users to “but if I have to drive six hours to go shopping” tell him about people in need. to help out, “that’s fine.” Almost immediately, people told him about Dear Answer Man, isn’t it time for a little Amy Gierszewski, who grew up in Rochester update on when Michaels restaurant will get and lives in Grand Forks, N.D. Her 36-year-old its makeover? husband, Travis, was killed in a car wreck near This is actually from my boss, Mr. Four Stars, Thompson, N.D., Nov. 23, leaving Amy and four who says he ran into one of Michaels’ owners, children. Mike Pappas, Thursday night while dining on Reed had his recipient. Since then he’s been Alaskan king crab legs. He could have invited me taking donations from readers and now has more to join him for crab legs, but as is typical, he didn’t. than $600 for Amy and family. “People have been They’re getting close on the makeover. Mike donating cash and checks,” he says, and it’s still says they’re to the point of choosing chairs and coming in. fabrics, and when the holidays are over and “Honestly, I didn’t expect this. I was going to maybe post-Super Bowl, they’ll get to work. A lot
ANSWER MAN
Man won’t fight return to face Iowa slaying charge Associated Press IOWA CITY, Iowa — A Minnesota resident says he won’t fight extradition to Iowa to face charges that he killed his wife in Iowa City more than 16 years ago. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says John Bloomfield waived his right Thursday in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul. The 73-year-old has been jailed since his arrest last week at his St. Paul home. The former University of Iowa researcher is accused of killing 57-year-old Frances Bloomfield in September 1997 at the home they shared in Iowa City.
Insurers: Bad MNsure data could delay coverage Associated Press ST. PAUL — Minnesota health insurers say they still aren’t getting complete information about enrollees in Minnesota’s health insurance exchange. The insurers say the delays could prevent people from having coverage through MNsure starting Jan. 1. Julie Brunner, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, a trade group, sent a letter to state officials Friday. Brunner says information being sent to the health plans has inaccuracies, omissions and in some cases conflicting information about which policy an enrollee is selecting. The deadline for signing up is Dec. 23.
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of Michaels’ fans are eager to see the landmark restaurant at Broadway and Center get a fresh look, and Mike says they’ll have a few tricks up their sleeve on the menu as well. Speaking of Michaels and the adjacent Pappageorge restaurant, there’s no action in what used to be that alcove dining room where Titan Development/Chafoulias interests plan to open a small liquor store. Pappageorge vacated that space last summer to make room for a hustled-up liquor store, apparently in part to keep possession of a liquor license, but so far there’s nothing. Dear Answer Man, I know the U.S. flags are at half-staff this weekend for Nelson Mandela, but are Minnesota state flags also supposed to be at half-staff ? On Friday morning, the White House ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff until dusk Monday to honor Mandela. Also Friday, Gov. Mark Dayton initially ordered flags in Minnesota (both the state and U.S. flags) lowered Saturday in honor of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I would guess the president’s order trumps the governor’s as far as the Saturday rationale, but the governor then added an order late Friday to lower state flags until dusk Monday to honor Mandela. A memorial event for Pearl Harbor Day was planned for 10 a.m. today at the Veterans Services Building near the State Capitol. Every day’s a good day to remember our veterans and active-duty military. There’s no end to what you don’t know, which is where the Answer Man comes in. Send questions to P.O. Box 6118, Rochester, MN 55903 or
[email protected].
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ST. PAUL — Gov. Mark Dayton is ordering flags at all state of Minnesota buildings to be flown at half-staff between now and sunset on Sunday in remembrance of Nelson Mandela. Dayton’s proclamation, issued Friday, accompanies a similar order from President Barack Obama that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff at all public buildings, military posts and naval vessels through Sunday in Mandela’s honor. The former South African president and champion of the battle against apartheid in that country died Thursday at age 95, prompting mourning throughout the world. Dayton’s proclamation says Mandela “achieved more than could be expected of any man.” Dayton already had ordered flags to be flown at half-staff today in honor of those who died in the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
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SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2013
News
Tower Investment offers land for new Pine Island school BY BRIAN TODD
[email protected]
However, she added, Tower has been supportive of the direction the district is taking PINE ISLAND — Tower with its curriculum, and the Investments, the company company has long looked at the behind the dormant Elk Run schools as a partner in helping business park, has donated 40 to grow the community. acres of land to Pine Island Elk Run is a proposed schools for the site of its proposed elementary school on biobusiness park that has not produced the promised job the south end of town. creation goals that were set. The Pine Island School Roadways and access ramps Board voted unanimously Thursday night to accept a do- from U.S. 52 have been built in anticipation of the site’s develnation of the opment south of Pine Island. site, which is In a letter to Berg-Beniak, on the northJohn Pierce, senior vice presieast side of dent at Tower Investments, 125th Street said, “High-quality public eduand New cation contributes to a comHaven Road. munity’s growth and success.” The squareHe went on to add that quality shaped parcel education can lower the crime intersects rate and improve the quality with the of life. “Pine Island public Douglas Trail, Berg-Beniak schools have provided excelmeaning both schools in the district would be lence in public education in the past but we have seen that connected by the trail if fundthey are in need of additional ing for the new elementary school is approved by voters in facilities to continue this level May. A date for the public vote of high quality education,” he said. has not been set. Leland said the donation will The donation of the land amount to 38 usable acres. Two is contingent on the public’s acres on the site will be needed approval of the bond issue. for right of way for roads. It is also being donated as Berg-Beniak added that the is, meaning all utilities and donation shows a commitment site preparation would be the by Tower to be a partner with responsibility of the district, the community beyond its said superintendent Tammy investment in Elk Run. Berg-Beniak. “They looked at this as an “The consensus of the board opportunity to connect with was this, in fact, was an optimal site,” said board chairman the community and show that they are here for the long run,” Jeff Leland. she said.
Site review
Berg-Beniak said the district looked at a total of six sites, two on the north side of town and four south. One potential site was east of U.S. 52. Because the district would get the land for free, and a water lift station would not be required at the site, the new school would come with significant savings built in. BergBeniak said the land is valued at nearly $1 million. The lift station, a water-sewer addition that would be required at several other sites, would have cost more than $250,000. In addition, board member Rob Warneke said the land is centrally located within the district. “That actually is right in the middle of our district,” he said.
Long time coming The deal with Tower Investments has been a long time coming. Berg-Beniak said she started meeting with Tower a year ago, but the donation of the land came as a bit of a surprise. “There was nothing definitive whether it would be a donation until November 26,” she said.
Man charged after rural break-in reported BY KAY FATE
[email protected] A Byron man has been charged with a pair of felonies after he allegedly broke into a shed in rural Olmsted County. Tyler Howard Tottingham, 27, was charged Thursday in Olmsted County District Court with one count each of secondand third-degree burglary. He was arrested late Wednesday after deputies and a K9 unit responded to the 3800 block of Minnesota Highway 247 for a report of a burglary in progress. They were met by a man who said his monitoring system had picked up noise in one of the sheds on his property. When the homeowner went outside to check, he saw a car parked and running in front of the building. The 8-inch lock on the door had been broken, said Sgt. Tom Claymon. Deputies convinced the person in the building — later identified as Tottingham — to come out. He allegedly told them he was there to steal the Harley Davidson inside that was “under the concrete.”
Brian Todd is a freelance writer.
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