“We had another year of outstanding financial performance and are very pleased to report record net earnings and EPS for the fiscal 2013 full year,” said Claude Jordan, Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer. “Higher sales volumes, combined with our ongoing focus on operational excellence and cost control, again contributed to strong top- and bottom-line results for fiscal 2013.”

As expected, for the fiscal 2013 fourth quarter,Arctic Cat reported an improved net loss of $5.1 million, or a loss of$0.38 per diluted share, on 15 percent net sales growth to$113.2 million. In the prior-year fourth quarter,Arctic Cat reported a net loss of$6.2 million, or a loss of$0.49 per diluted share, on net sales of$98.5 million. Due to the seasonality of Arctic Cat’s business, the company typically reports lower results in its fiscal first and fourth quarters, while the fiscal second and third quarters are historically its strongest.

Commenting on the 2013 fourth quarter, Jordan said: “Our business performed well in the quarter, with sales increasing across all product lines. We continued to pursue our strategy to enter new growth segments and launch innovative new products, including two all-new Wildcat™ sport side-by-sides. As a result, we again had double-digit sales gains in our ATV and side-by-side segments in the 2013 fourth quarter.”

Based on the strength of the company’s performance, strong cash flow and future prospects, Arctic Cat’s board of directors has authorized the reinstatement of a quarterly cash dividend and a$30 million share repurchase program, which were announced separately today. “The reinstatement of a quarterly dividend and share repurchase program demonstrates our continuing commitment to increase shareholder value and reflects our belief that the stock represents a good investment opportunity,” said Claude Jordan, Arctic Cat’s chairman and chief executive officer.

Arctic Cat Inc. designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), side-by-sides and snowmobiles under the Arctic Cat^® brand name, as well as related parts, garments and accessories.

The free event, put together by student organization SCSU For Life, is from 7:30 to 8:30PM on Tuesday, April 16th, in Ritsche Auditorium. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. The event was previously scheduled for next week but was moved to April due to scheduling conflicts.

This event is sponsored by Bethany Christian Services, an adoption agency, that helped MTV Networks launch the ground-breaking television shows “16 & Pregnant” and “Teen Mom.” Catelynn and Tyler have partnered with Bethany Christian Services to educate expectant moms and promote adoption and the benefits of pregnancy counseling.

Men’s Husky Hockey defeats University of Alaska Anchorage 5-1 March 16 at the National Hockey and Event Center (NHEC) to advance to the WCHA Final Five tournament and a top-seed chance at winning the Broadmoor Trophy in St. Paul.

Senior men’s hockey captain Ben Hanowski, Little Falls, scores a 100-foot, no-look, empty-net goal to record the final tally in the final home game of his storied hockey career.

Senior captain Drew LeBlanc, Hermantown, scores the first goal of the game and notches two assists, adding more luster to a season that includes a WCHA Player of the Year nod, a WCHA Outstanding Student-Athlete award, a Hobey Baker candidacy that is drawing national attention, and a possible NCAA D-I plaque for most assists during the 2012-13 season.

Surrounded by his team, Robert Giles Motzko ’89, protege of former Huskies’ coach and late Olympic legend Herb Brooks and former Huskies’ coach Craig Dahl, hoists the MacNaughton Cup at center ice before a roaring NHEC crowd.

The cup, a 100-year-old silver symbol of collegiate hockey excellence, is displayed at the NHEC, amid construction efforts that will transform Central Minnesota’s college hockey cathedral. Throughout most of Saturday’s game a long line of people snakes from the upper atrium down the second-floor mezzanine. Moms, dads, children, students, former players — steadfast fans of all stripes, but just two colors — patiently wait to touch and be photographed with the symbol of a WCHA championship.

At center ice, President Earl H. Potter III stands by the painted words “McDonald Rink,” words that memorialize a predecessor, the late President Brendan J. McDonald. For long-time fans the leadership narrative comes together like a Frank Capra film: A torch is passed from the man who fought to bring NCAA Division I hockey to St. Cloud, and build a St. Cloud State hockey arena, to the man leading a $30 million donor-funded renovation of that 24-year-old facility.

As the crowd begins filtering out of the NHEC, Potter speaks with Husky Productions student reporter Julia Allen, Big Lake: “It has been a great season, a courageous win,” says Potter. “It signifies what this University is all about.”

Heather Weems, director of Husky Athletics, grabs her smart phone and tweets: “Thank you Husky Nation – tonight was fun! This one’s for current and former players & coaches, and all the fans! Cheers!!!”

In northern California, one of the most decorated former players, Olympian and Stanley Cup winner Bret Hedican, tweets: “Couldn’t be prouder of @stcloudstate #huskies clinching #wcha Way to go boys! Feels good to be a small part of our great school & tradition!”

A final thread of historic significance: Players from the undefeated 1961-62 squad, the record-setting 2000-01 Broadmoor Trophy group, and other celebrated Husky teams, are waiting to see if these young men have the stuff to make more St. Cloud State history.

Men’s Husky Hockey plays March 22 at the Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, against the winner of the March 21 play-in game. With the No. 1 seed, earned via a league-leading 18 wins, the Huskies (23-14-1) enjoy a theoretical path of least resistance to the Final Five title and its symbol, the Broadmoor Trophy.

A win and a loss in St. Paul would enhance prospects for a bid to the 16-team NCAA national tournament, which culiminates with the Frozen Four April 11 and 13 in Pittsburgh. Two wins next weekend would earn St. Cloud State its second Broadmoor Trophy and an automatic bid to the national tournament.

Purchase Final Five tickets through the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster or call 800-745-3000.

Theodore Wegner, assistant director of the Department of Agriculture’s Forest Products Laboratory (FPL) in Madison, Wis., will kick off the event with a keynote presentation at 9 a.m. in the Atwood Ballroom.

Wegner supervises scientists investigating nanocellulose, a plastic-like fibrous material, derived from wood pulp, which has potential applications in the automobile, aerospace and defense industries.

Scientists consider cellulose the world’s most abundant natural, renewable, biodegradable polymer.

FPL researchers are going beyond nanocellulose to an even smaller component — cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs). Extremely light, and stronger than metals, CNCs could be used to make biodegradable medical implants, next-generation water filters, body armor and adhesives.

Wegner will discuss FPL’s research efforts and summarize cellulose nanomaterials commercialization efforts in Canada, Finland and Japan.

Among the industry presenters are:

• Rick Odland is medical director of Twin Star Medical, a Minneapolis developer of micro-porus, hollow-fiber catheters for the healthcare industry. Odland will present on “The Interface of Hollow Fibers and the Interstitium.”

• Jeffrey Schirer is a senior applications engineer for Hysitron, an Eden Prairie nanomechanical test instrument manufacturing and testing company. He will present on “Nanomechanical Testing and Applications Pertaining to Energy, the Environment, and Medicine.”

• Wade Eichhorn is a product manager for 7-SIGMA, a designer, manufacturer and supplier of  polymer and metal components and assemblies for the printing, medical, aerospace, and industrial markets. He’ll speak about “Flexible Carbon Nanotube Sensors.”

Among the academic presenters are:

• Sarah Petitto is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry and Physics at St. Cloud State. Her remarks are titled “Analysis of the Oxide Capping Layer on Magnetite (111) Under Environmental Conditions.”

• Sarah Larsen is a University of Iowa professor of chemistry. She will talk about “Applications of Porous Nanomaterials to Catalysis, Adsorption, Drug Delivery and Imaging.”

For more information and to register for NanoTECH 2013, visit http://www.stcloudstate.edu/cose/nanotech/default.asp

“In the past decade, with the growth of the internet, our industry has changed dramatically. Combining our two companies will enhance our ability to serve customers around the world, offer new opportunities for our employees, make us a more attractive partner to our vendors, and increase stockholder value,” said Neil Austrian, Chairman and CEO of Office Depot.

The combined organization has over 2,500 locations worldwide (approx. 1,675 Office Depot and 900 OfficeMax locations), with the majority of its presence in the United States and Mexico. It is a sure bet, however, that a number of locations will be closed or sold – in fact, industry experts are predicting that they will shutter over 20% of their stores. With both an Office Depot and OfficeMax in St. Cloud, it is likely that one location, presumably OfficeMax, will cease operations after the completion of the merger.

“We are excited to bring together two companies intent on accelerating innovation for our customers and better differentiating us for success in a dynamic and highly competitive global industry,” said Ravi Saligram, President and CEO of OfficeMax. “We are confident that there will be exciting new opportunities for employees as part of a truly global business. Together, we will have the opportunity to build on our strong digital platforms and to expand our multichannel capabilities to better serve our customers and to compete more effectively. Importantly, this merger of equals transaction will provide stockholders of both companies with a compelling opportunity to participate in the long-term upside potential of the combined company.”

The merger transaction is expected to close by the end of 2013, subject to a variety of closing conditions such as stockholder and regulatory approval. Until then, OfficeMax and Office Depot will remain separate companies.

According to Pat McCann, who serves as president of the recently combined group, “the merger allows us to combine resources, offer more services and provide a broader base of experience and expertise to all of the agencies’ clients.”

“Some of the clients who’ve seen us primarily as a provider of a particular type of insurance may be interested in the efficiency of working with a single provider for group health, life, property and casualty, dental, disability, long-term care, etc.,” says McCann. “This is an exciting opportunity for the owners of these three agencies, and our collective 150 employees, to serve our clients better.

“Each agency will continue to be the go-to place for their clients, while we also look to bring additional resources from the partnership to bear over time for the benefit of each client.”

McCann and his wife, Gayle, are principals of Johnson McCann, which is based in Saint Paul, Minn., and was recently awarded a Best Place to Work award by the Business Journal of Minneapolis/St. Paul. Johnson McCann has specialized in providing group insurance options to medical groups, nonprofit organizations, corporations, banks, and municipalities. The company employs 22 benefits advisors, consultants, and support staff. More information is available at http://www.johnsonmccann.com/.

The south-central Minnesota agency in the merger is C.O. Brown of Rochester, which is headed by Mark Hayford, president. C.O. Brown Agency was founded in 1917 and is the largest independent insurance agency in southeastern Minnesota. It employs more than 85 insurance professionals, “We have offices in Rochester, Austin, Kasson, Lake City, Mankato, Red Wing,” says Hayford, who has been affiliated with the third agency in the merger, the Apollo Insurance Agency.

The Apollo Insurance Agency, which has offices in St. Cloud, Albany, Melrose, Alexandria and Monticello is headed by partners John Delinsky, Steve Thelen and DeEtte Wurm. The Apollo agencies collectively serve over 5,000 businesses and individuals in Minnesota and surrounding states. “Our team is comprised of over 40 employees. In 2005, the agency was also selected from over 4,000 candidates as the recipient of the “Agency of the Year” award.”

The closures will occur during non-rush hours as crews install a temporary signal system at the Highway 15/23rd Street intersection. The work and lane closures will be completed by April 16.

The signal system will provide safe access from Highway 15 to 23rd Street, westbound County Road 120, the Sartell medical park and other local businesses when ramps temporarily close later this year between Highway 15 and County Road 120.

The closures and work are needed as part of the $10 million Highway 15/Stearns County Road 120 Diverging Diamond Interchange project being constructed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), in partnership with Stearns County and the cities of Sartell and St. Cloud.

Motorists should slow down and watch for work crews and equipment as they navigate the daily work zones.

Example of a Diverging Diamond Interchange:

I’ve never been to a hot dog cafe, so I wasn’t really sure what to order. I asked the guy at the counter what he recommended and he said “The Bomb Dog.” My eyes scanned the menu and read what was on that wiener –pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw — and I ordered it without a second thought (I’m a sucker for BBQ — I blame (or should thank?) my dad for that).  I ordered my wiener as a combo. The choices available for that were a fountain drink or coffee and choice of tater tots, french fries or kettle chips. Since I was already veering away from the “norm” by dining at a hot dog cafe for lunch, I ordered tater tots instead of french fries for my combo.

Unfortunately it has been a few days since we have visited Step Brothers so I’m not quite sure what my co-investigator ordered — I think it was a Reuben wiener, though!

While we were waiting for our order we found a place to sit and quickly noticed how unique the restaurant was. For starters, the restaurant was clean and up-to-date — everything was brand new (or at least appeared that way!). It was also really unique. There were numerous awkward family portraits around the restaurant — which is part of Step Brother’s theme. In fact, they encourage people to bring in their own awkward family portraits and display them at the restaurant.

We didn’t have too much time to observe the restaurant, though. Our food was ready quickly! The flavor in “The Bomb Dog” was amazing and the tater tots also accompanied the wiener well. With the wiener loaded with pulled pork, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw, it somewhat feel apart after a few bites, which was fine… I just used a fork! It didn’t take me long to devour my meal and realize that the wiener truly was worthy of its name as it was “bomb!”

Overall, I really enjoyed Step Brothers Wieners & More. It was something different, the staff were very friendly and helpful, and everything tasted great. If you’re not in the mood for a wiener, they also have sandwiches, wraps and salads. I would recommend Step Brother’s Wieners & More to anyone looking for something quick, different, and affordable for lunch or dinner!

Step Brothers Wieners & More
2104 Veterans Drive, Saint Cloud, MN 56303 (Google Map)
(320) 774-1500

An OCC examination of the bank’s account and transaction activity between November 2008 and July 2010 revealed late filing of suspicious activity reports (SARs). The suspicious activities primarily consisted of cash transactions which indicated structuring and wire transfers where the source and purpose of the funds were unknown. In addition, upon further investigation, OCC found instances where SARs failed to adequately explain or identify potential terrorist financing.

The CMP follows a cease and desist order issued in July 2010 which directed the bank to correct deficiencies in its BSA and anti-money laundering programs and required an independent examination of BSA reports filed between November 2008 and July 2010.

“TCF, bank regulators and law enforcement all share the same goal – ensuring the continued safety and security of the deposits of our customers – and we are confident that with the help of the OCC, we have taken the necessary steps to put in place a best-in-class BSA program and team to lead this critical area moving forward,” said William A. Cooper, TCF Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We appreciate the OCC’s guidance in helping us strengthen our BSA program and take great pride in our ability to assist regulators and law enforcement in improving the safety of the banking system.”

Strong northwest winds will usher in the cold air with readings falling below zero early the coming evening. Wind chills will drop off quickly to 20 to 30 below tonight as air temperatures fall below zero and winds slowly diminish. The coldest days ahead will be Monday and Tuesday of the coming week.

High temperatures are expected to remain below zero on Monday with overnight lows dropping close to 10 below to 20 below over the area. Temperatures will moderate some thereafter.

For current weather information, simply head to our Weather page