By Lexi MooreResidents in Hills may have noticed that the "Kevin’s Transmissions" sign was recently removed from the building on Main Street. Fortunately, it wasn’t long before it was replaced by a new sign that said "Scott’s Automatic."The new sign was the first indication that the business was changing.Scott Kruger worked with Kevin Van Veldhuizen at Kevin’s Transmissions for 4 1/2 years. Last winter Van Veldhuizen began talking about retiring from his five years in the transmissions business to focus on his hog farm.Kruger’s reaction to Van Veldhuizen’s retirement was to propose taking over the business."I enjoy working on transmissions. I’ve done so many different jobs, but I really like this one."He made an arrangement with Van Veldhuizen to lease the building and business for a short time while he gets used to running things. He has the option to purchase the building in the near future.Kruger enjoys delivering reliable and affordable transmission work to local residents."I believe vehicles leave the area when they need to be worked on. I would like to bring back that business."Now that the new sign is up and Scott feels comfortable in his position, he is ready to host an open house so that residents can meet him and learn about Scott’s Automatic.The open house will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday afternoon at the shop on Main Street in Hills. In addition to offering food and refreshments, Scott plans to give away several door prizes. He has arranged to give transmission work discounts, oil changes and promotional products.Scott’s Automatic offers the same services that Kevin’s Transmissions did for the past five years with new hours. Kruger plans to have the shop open most Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop offers general maintenance, oil changes, brake work and transmission repair.Kruger has a lengthy background working on vehicles. He grew up working on his father’s racing team, the Quick Silver Team, and helping scrap transmissions at Kruger Salvage, owned by his uncle Barney.