03/02/10: This week's Minnesota news from other media

The Waseca Area Neighborhood Service Center is entering its annual Minnesota Food Share March campaign with 30,000 pounds in increased food demand from last year, writes Drew Amo in the Waseca County News. The story says that in Waseca over the past year, the food shelf has seen an increase in demand for its three biggest programs.

The Pickwick, a longtime landmark of the Duluth restaurant scene, could have a new owner soon, reports Peter Passi in the Duluth News Tribune. According to the article, "Tim Wright of Duluth said he signed an agreement Friday to purchase the assets of Pickwick Inc. But Wright said several contingencies in that agreement must still be addressed before he can close on the sale." It says that Wright ran the Aberdeen Lodge in Manitowish Waters, Wis., and that his family operates The Egg Harbor Cafe, a 15-restaurant chain in the Chicago area.

Minnesota children's author/illustrator Nancy Carlson will make three appearances in Morris on March 4, the Morris Sun Tribune reports. The article notes that Carlson, who has published more than 60 books, is "one of the few people who knew even back in kindergarten what she wanted to do for a living: 'Make pictures and tell stories!' "

"Building, planning and fire fees and permit costs will not be increasing in Brainerd," writes Matt Erickson in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch. The story says the Brainerd City Council voted 4-3 Monday against increasing permit fees.