Farmer’s Market opens for the seasonThe 2004 Farmers Market will have its opening night tonight.The market will be open every Thursday night, from 5 to 7 p.m.The location will be on the corner of Cedar and E. Warren Street, south of Glen’s Food Center.The organizers are promising the county’s freshest produce and more.So far, venders have been lined up to sell eggs, beef, pork, as well as garden produce.New vendors are always welcome, so if you would like to participate, contact Corrine Bonnema at 283-4451.MDA to hold local fund-raiserThe Muscular Dystrophy Association will be holding "Luverne convicts" on Wednesday, Aug. 18.The volunteer convicts will be locked-up and serve time in a mock jail to help raise money for "Jerry’s Kids".The Lock-Up is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Participants are sentenced to "raise bail" by calling friends and encouraging contributions for the MDA.MDA is hoping to get 30 Luverne business leaders to serve their sentences for the MDA.MDA is a health agency working to defeat neuromuscular diseases through worldwide research.The money raised through the "lock-up" will fund monthly ASL support group meetings at Sioux Valley Hospital, physical and occupational therapy, assistance in the purchase and repair of orthopedic equipment, MDA summer camp at Lake Shetek and more.More than 550 families in the region benefit from the programs.If you would like to participate in the fund-raiser, contact the local MDA office at 605-339-2728.LCH adds online payment to their Web siteThe Luverne Community Hospital is adding online payment to the options they offer.The site is located at www.luvernecommunityhospital.orgIf you would like to pay your hospital bills online, click on the "Resources" icon.Payment options include Visa, MasterCard and Discover.While you are at the site, you can check out the photo updates of the construction of the new hospital.Minnesota gets first case of West NileA 28-year-old man, from McCleod County, was the first Minnesotan to test positive for the West Nile virus in 2004.The man became ill in mid-July with symptoms including high fever and severe headaches.According to the MDH, now through mid-September is the peak time for West Nile virus in humans.West Nile is transmitted through mosquito bites and cannot be spread by contact with an infected person.Although it can result in death, it is usually not serious in humans, but it can sometimes lead to encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.If you are out amongst the mosquitoes, always use a bug repellent with 30 percent of the active ingredient DEET.Another good idea is to eliminate the mosquito breeding grounds around your home.Places to check include old tires, buckets, clogged rain gutters, cans and other containers that can hold small amounts of water.It you own a birdbath, or have horse troughs, it’s also a good idea to change the water at least once a week.If you are bit by an infected mosquito, symptoms usually show up in 15 days. They can include headache, high fever, muscle weakness, stiff neck, disorientation, tremors, convulsions, paralysis and coma.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com