The Bismarck Tribune from Bismarck, North Dakota • 24

Dakota 4C Wednesday, July 21, 2004 Bismarck Tribune bismarcktribune.com U.S., Japan close to resuming beef exports BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) Sen. Max Baucus said Tuesday that he believes U.S. and Japanese officials are on the verge of an agreement that could allow the resumption of U.S. beef shipments to that country.

Baucus expressed optimism after speaking with Japan's ambassador to the United States, whom the Montana ease. Japan has said it wouldn't allow U.S. beef back into that country until the United States adopts blanket testing of slaughtered cows for the disease, or puts in place measures that would have a similar effect. Japan already tests cattle for the disease, formally known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE. Democrat described as "upbeat" and giving "strong assurances" about the prospect of an agreement soon.

How such an agreement would look, though, Baucus couldn't say, and added he received no guarantees on any possible provisions. However, Baucus said he believed Japan would ease up on certain test ing requirements for cattle under 30 months of age and allow U.S. beef back on the market. "It's clear to me we're on the verge," Baucus said. Japan was among the countries that imposed bans on U.S.

beef imports last year, after an animal in Washington state tested positive for mad cow dis Second weather team inspects Barnes County Woman threatens to jump from window FARGO (AP) Rescue workers rappelled down the side of an apartment building to keep a woman from jumping from an llth-floor window. The woman began threatening to jump about 7:40 a.m. Monday and said she would if anyone entered her apartment, police said. To reach her in time, police Lt. Dave Todd and Capt.

Leroy Skarloken of the Fargo Fire Department needed their negotiator, Sgt. Kevin Pallas, to coax the woman back inside for a moment. The opportunity came when Pallas convinced her to retrieve her phone, which she had thrown inside earlier. Once the woman got off the ledge, Todd and Skarloken lowered themselves down and into the open window when she wasn't looking. The woman was hospitalized for evaluation.

Minot missile wing has new commander MINOT (AP) The 91st Space Wing at the Air Force Base here has a new commander. Col. Daniel Adams Jr. took over command of the wing's 1,500 personnel and 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday. Adams replaces Col.

Mark Owen, who has been reassigned. Adams most recently was assigned to an Air Force recruiting group in Georgia. Diary group hires new director The North Dakota Dairy Coalition has hired its first executive director. Gary Hoffman was named to the new post Tuesday. The Agricultural Products Utilization Commission gave the North Dakota Dairy Coalition $65,000 earlier in the year to help the group hire a director to lobby legislators, promote dairy sites that are for sale, attend national trade shows and recruit other dairy operations to North Dakota.

Hoffman said he will work with producers to expand the state's dairy farms. He said he also will work to attract more young people to start dairy farms in North Dakota. The number of dairy farmers in North Dakota has dropped from nearly 5,000 in the late 1970s to about 400 today. Associated Press Man discovers winning ticket on desk It took two weeks before a South Dakota man found $100,000 sitting on his desk. The man, who lives in Aberdeen, S.D., turned in a winning Powerball lottery ticket Tuesday at the North Dakota Lottery's offices in the state Capitol.

The ticket, bought just before the July 3 drawing, matched five of its six numbers, which carries a $100,000 prize. The ticket was sold at a Simonson's convenience store in Minot. North Dakota law does not require winning lottery players to disclose their identities. Associated Press GRAND FORKS (AP) The National Weather Service sent a second team of observers to Barnes County on Tuesday to determine whether a tornado that destroyed a farm there should be declared an F4, the second most severe tornado rating given. A F4 tornado would have winds of up to 260 mph, the weather service said.

The tornado struck the farm of Dana Noot and his family Sunday night, leaving it in ruins. Noot and his family, who were baling hay nearby, were not hurt. Barnes County Emergency Manager Norma Duppler said F4 tornadoes are only 1 percent of all tornadoes generated. She said the last one recorded in North Dakota was in 1999. Duppler said the Red Cross, friends arid relatives are helping the Noot family, and a relief fund has been set up through the Wells Fargo bank.

It was a two-generation farm and a lifetime of work. It's frustrating there isn't more we can do," she said. "There's total devastation and they're underinsured." The weather service said a tornado that hit Sunday night in the Tower City area, in western Cass County, was an Fl, packing winds of up to 112 mph. One Minnkota power line was heavily damaged and three Minnkota towers were bent or toppled, the weather service said. Residents of northeastern North Dakota also were cleaning up after tornadoes Sunday night.

Mike Dahlen estimated that he had wind and hail damage on about 1,500 acres south of Emerado. He said a 60-acre sunflower field was "totally shredded." Hail dented vehicles and left holes in the lawn, said his mother, Ha Dahlen. She saved two ice cream buckets full of hailstones in the freezer. The weather service said the tornado that hit the Dahlen farm was an Fl. Ila Dahlen said it came through in about 10 minutes.

A tornado also whipped through Lillian Enger's farm yard in Steele County, blowing the roof off a 56-year-old wooden barn and pulling an ancient box elder tree out by its roots. The trees were within a few feet of the house, which escaped unscathed. "We feel we are pretty lucky here," Enger said. "We were thinking about shingling the barn, but I guess we won't have to, now? Don't miss your chance to show off some of your best friends YOUR PETS! Pets are family. They can be furry, cute, cuddly, funny and big companions to us.

Send a photo of your pet and we'll show it off in The Bismarck Tribune on Friday, August 20th, in a special Pets on Parade section. Not only can you show off your special pet, but you could win some great prizes from Animal Kingdom.There are five different pet categories and we'll award a first, second and third place in each category. Plus, one lucky pet will win Best of Show and be featured on the cover of this special section and win Free pet food for a year from Animal Kingdom. A' ik I No payments or Fire and Ice GrillCooler FREE with qualifying purchase See stores lor details Call, stop by, or let us come to you. Skmarrk jr -twimms tfWMpipgg' Minot Rapid City 2800 S.

Broadway 2704 Plant St. (701) 838-3700 (605) 341-2045 2205 E. Broadway (701) 255-1198 Please publish my photo in your special Pets on Parade section publishing Friday, August 20th. Enclosed is my $7.95 payment Pet's Name: Your Name: i Address. City -ZiP- Daytime Phone: Email Address: We'll give you pain relief from ingrown toenails! Mastercard CZH Visa 13 American Express Check Card Exp.

Date Please check the class you want to be entered in: ii yuuuio auiiwriny irom toot proDiems, we can nelp, and give you the quality healthcare you deserve. Athlete's Foot Ingrown Toenails -I Bunions Achilles Tendonitis Hammertoe Plantar Fasciitis Heel Spurs Injuries People Pets )Dog )Cat Pets on the Farm. Other iA Photos will be returned with Animal Kingdom coupon worth $5. Send form payment to: The BismarckTribune, Pets on Parade. P.O.

Box 55 1 6, Bismarck, ND 58506 mmiiu wot ankle cl mic li 525 N. 9th, Bismarck, ND IUXIZtJOI rpTHE BISMARCK $mmm Iribune For more informarinn rail PIQ-cn An d-i 1-800-642-7018 Local: 258-8120 Satellite offices in Wlshek. Harvey Garrison A Horen ww. i n.a i ivjl cr iu ruiai vi computer printouts or photos smaller than wallet size or larger than 5x7. Photos will publish black white.

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