AUTHOR JOHN SANDFORD HEADING TO IRAQ

Best-selling mystery writer John Sandford left last week for a two week stay with the Minnesota National Guard. The 63-year old author plans to file stories on www.MinnPost.com, a new online news site that is sponsoring the trip. Sandford is well-known for his "Prey" series featuring stylish detective Lucas Davenport. Camp - Sandford's real name - said he was more excited than scared and wanted to find stories on Minnesota people, a Baghdad surgical hospital, and archeological looting around ancient site near Babylon.