By John RittenhouseThe Adrian track teams produced a combined one meet title and six second-place performances at the Murray County Central Invitational in Slayton Monday.The Adrian girls, who placed sixth in an eight-team field with 75 points, secured one meet crown and finished second in four events. The AHS boys placed second in two events and finished eighth in the team standings with 59 points.Erica Thier came up with Adrian’s meet title by winning the 400-meter dash in 1:03.48.Thier also ran a leg with Adrian’s 1,600-meter relay, which placed second in 4:20.13. Kourtney Kramer, Jolene Reisdorfer and Leslie Stover round out the team.Kramer and Megan Henning placed second in the 800- and 3,200-meter runs with respective 2:28.91 and 12:31.83 times.Kramer, Henning, Hailee Heitkamp and Stover placed second in the 3,200-meter relay with a 10:22.07 effort.Blake Springman and Lee Stover placed second individually for the boys.Springman tossed the discus 134-3. Stover ran 800 meters in 2:07.8.Here is a look at the team standings and the rest of Adrian’s point-earning performances during the meet.Girls’ standings: Pipestone 184, Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 91.5; Southwest Christian 89.5, MCC 79, Fulda 78, Adrian 75, Russell-Tyler-Ruthton 47, Canby-Minneota 47.Boys’ standings: MCC 132, SWC 107, T-M-B 84, C-M 84, R-T-R 82, Fulda 80, Pipestone 63, Adrian 59.Adrian girlsThird place: Natasha Slater, 1,600, 13:24.95.Fifth place: Jolene Reisdorer, 200, 29.35; N.Slater, 3,200, 13:24.95; 800 relay (Rosibel Mejia, Sarah Jensen, Katy Slater and Reisdorfer), 2:00.04.Sixth place: Bridgett Block, shot, 31-2 1/4; Mejia, long jump, 13-9 1/2; Heitkamp, 800, 2:38.57; Abby Erlandson, 3,200, 13:33.83.Adrian boysThird place: Stover, 1,600, 4:54.79; Ethan Wieneke, 3,200, 10:45.51; 800 relay (Jon Konz, Preston Engelkes, Jory Haken and Billy Anderson), 1:41.25; 3,200 relay (Jarod Boltjes, Nate Reyne, Wieneke and Dustin Lonneman), 9:10.07.Fifth place: Springman, shot, 44-4 3.4; 1,600 relay (Boltjes, Derek Everett, Anderson and Stover), 3:46.26.Sixth place: Konz, 300 hurdles, 46.74; 400 relay (Konz, Trent Lutmer, Chris Reisdorfer and Everett), 50.24.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Redbirds opened the amateur baseball campaign by dropping a pair of road games.The Luverne squad fell by four runs in Mountain Lake Sunday before taking a three-run setback in Renner, S.D., Tuesday.Luverne hosts Heron Lake (4 p.m.) and Brookings (8 p.m.) Sunday and Wednesday respectively.Renner 5, Luverne 2The Redbirds turned in a more competitive showing during Tuesday’s game in Renner.Luverne took a 2-0 lead with an RBI single from Tony Sandbulte and a run-scoring double by Zach Wysong in the top half of the third inning.Renner, however, scored single runs in the third, fifth and seventh innings and plated two more in the sixth to win by three.Jared Pick took the loss after pitching six innings of four run (three were earned) ball. J.T. Bruynes surrendered one run in two innings of relief.Box score AB R H BIStuder 4 0 0 0Bruynes 1 0 0 0Sandbulte 3 1 2 1Wysong 3 0 1 1Fisher 3 0 1 0Fodness 4 0 0 0Kurtz 3 0 1 0Graphenteen 4 0 0 0Kuhlman 4 0 1 0Jr.Pick 3 1 1 0Cote 1 0 0 0ML 4, Luverne 0The Redbirds didn’t accomplish much during Sunday’s season opener in Mountain Lake.Luverne was limited to a pair of infield singles on offense and surrendered four unearned runs in the field during what turned into a four-run loss.The game was scoreless until ML broke through by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth. The hosts capped the scoring with a single run in the seventh.Jesse Kuhlman took the loss after pitching five and one-third innings of five-strikeout, four-walk ball. Rob Fodness worked the final two and two-thirds innings, yielding three hits.Fodness singled in the first inning and Pick singled in the fifth.Box score AB R H BIStuder 2 0 0 0Sandbulte 4 0 0 0Fodness 4 0 1 0Fisher 4 0 0 0Kurtz 4 0 0 0Jo.Pick 2 0 0 0Graphenteen 3 0 0 0Kuhlman 1 0 0 0Reisch 2 0 0 0Jr.Pick 3 0 1 0

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian girls’ golf team proved to be the cream of the crop at the Southwest United Triangular staged in Lakefield Thursday.The Dragons compiled a 216-stroke team tally to take top honors at the meet.SWU and Southwest Christian finished second and third with respective 221- and 238-stroke performances.Jessica Loosbrock paced the Dragons by shooting a 50.Dawn Bullerman, Kim Gades and Brittany Loosbrock added 52- 55- and 59-stroke rounds to the winning team tally.Brianna McCarthy and Carmen Wieneke shot 65- and 68-stroke rounds without impacting the scoring.The wins left AHS sporting an 8-5 record for the season.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne baseball team knocked off a pair of quality opponents in Pipestone and Murray County Central this week.The Cardinals rolled to an 11-run win over the Arrows in Pipestone Thursday before handing the Rebels a five-run setback at Redbird Field Monday.Luverne, 6-9 overall, hosts Worthington for a double-header today and Marshall for a single game Friday before ending the regular season in Adrian Monday.Luverne 6, MCC 1A solid effort from starting pitcher Jake Clark led the Cardinals to a five-run home win over the Rebels Monday.Clark pitched five innings of shutout ball. He fanned 10 batters and surrendered three hits.Luverne led 5-0 when Clark left the mound. Chris Fitzer threw one inning of one-run ball before Andrew DeBoer tossed a scoreless seventh inning.Clark helped his cause by tripling and scoring the first run of the game in the bottom of the first when Micah Boomgaarden lifted a sacrifice fly to left field.Ben Nath singled home a run to make it a two-run lead in the fourth inning, and the score was 4-0 when Boomgaarden singled home a run and another counter scored after an MCC error in the fifth.After the Rebels plated their first run in the top of the sixth, Luverne received run-scoring singles from Caleb Bruynes and Marc Boelman in the bottom half of the inning to win by five.Box score AB R H BIClark 4 2 2 0Bruynes 1 1 1 1Boomgaarden 2 1 1 2Fitzer 2 0 0 0Richters 1 0 0 0Boelman 3 0 2 1Petersen 2 1 1 0Reisch 2 0 0 0Nath 3 0 2 1Lundgren 3 0 1 0DeBoer 2 0 0 0Oeding 0 1 0 0Goembel 3 0 0 0Luverne 17, Pipestone 6The Cardinals turned in their top offensive performance of the season during Thursday’s 11-run win over the Arrows in Pipestone.Luverne slapped 19 hits in the game and received RBIs from nine different players. The Cards scored at least one run in every inning during a season-high 17-run output.Chris Fitzer led the charge with four hits and four RBIs. Kelsey Petersen and Ben Nath drove in two runs each.Nath singled home two runs and Fitzer and Brett Lundgren lashed run-scoring doubles in the first inning, and the Cards led 6-0 when Marc Boelman doubled home a run before Petersen slapped an RBI single in the second.The Arrows scored twice in the bottom of the second, but the Cards countered with a run-scoring single by Micah Boomgaarden in the third and two runs scored on an error in the fourth to make it a 9-2 game.Luverne proceeded to score four runs in the fifth inning, one in the sixth and three in the seventh to win handily.Fitzer singled home two runs, Petersen singled home another and Tyler Reisch picked up an RBI with a fielder’s choice in the fifth.Fitzer capped his four-RBI day with a single in the sixth. Derek Elbers singled home one run, Jake Clarke received an RBI with a fielder’s choice and another run scored on an error in the seventh.Boleman tossed five innings for five-run (two were earned) ball to pick up the win. Clark threw two innings of one-run relief.Box score AB R H BIClark 4 2 1 1Boomgaarden 4 1 1 1Fitzer 5 2 4 4Boelman 5 4 3 1Petersen 4 1 2 2Nath 4 2 3 2Reisch 3 0 0 1DeBoer 0 1 0 0Lundgren 4 0 2 1Boler 0 1 0 0Elbers 5 2 3 1

By Wendell Erickson and Lexi MooreThis week the Hills American Legion announced its Memorial Day speaker.The group has asked Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Flint to address residents and veterans during the 2006 Memorial Day event at 9 a.m. on Monday, May 29.Flint, a 27-year veteran with the South Dakota National Guard, is a fluent speaker with many interesting experiences to relate to the audience.He was activated with the 1st Battalion 147th Field Artillery in January 2004. His group served 14 months in Iraq under Operation Iraqi Freedom.Flint has earned many medals and honors including the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd), Army Achievement Medal (3rd), Global War on Terrorism Medal and South Dakota Distinguished Service Medal.

By Sara QuamRock County Commissioners Tuesday voted to help fund the Luverne Child Guide program, after waiting a few weeks since the program request.Commissioners reasoned that the funding would go toward an endowment fund. Along with Luverne’s program, commissioners also voted to contribute to an endowment fund for child programming in Hills-Beaver Creek District."We’re really investing money when we have an endowment," said Board Chairwoman Jane Wildung.The county will divide $5,000 between the districts in proportion to student enrollment.Commissioner Ron Boyenga wasn’t at the meeting.After the Child Guide program requested funding from the county, commissioners asked Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary to give background on its youth program, KidKare.Todd Holthaus, H-BC Elementary principal, and Haley Tollefson, KidKare coordinator, presented information on the program.Holthaus said about 10 to 12 students attend the childcare program after school until 6 p.m. It isn’t quite the same as the Child Guide program in its specific mission, Holthaus said. "We are a child care function for students up to grade six," he said.Students have a daily schedule that includes play time, homework time, crafts, games, computer time, Spanish class and American Sign Language class and character education. The character education portion of KidKare time helps children learn to get along and socialize in ways their families may not teach.Another example of the program is that KidKare students worked with a 4-H group to plant flowers. Holthaus said, "The homework component is important because our at-risk kids oftentimes don’t come from a background where their family sits around the kitchen table doing homework."Teachers often approach Tollefson about specific needs of students, so classroom goals are met in part by KidKare.The total budget of KidKare is $17,126. Commissioners said they hope an endowment fund will be used to ensure future children’s programming in H-BC as well as Luverne.The Luverne Child Guide program requested a donation to be able to continue to be the liaison between children and various community assets that can help them.The Child Guide program also plans activities and has a strong presence during the school day. Child Guide board members are working toward a fund-raising goal of at least $15,000 by June 30 to go into an endowment fund with a matching grant from the Southwest Minnesota Foundation. The endowment fund means the interest earned would be used, but the principal would remain to earn interest.Seal coat project over estimateRock County Commissioners approved the low bid for various seal coating projects in the county Tuesday.Asphalt Surf Tech Corp., St. Cloud, was the low bidder at $332,754. Rock County’s cost will total $235,283. The estimate for the project was $211,499, but the recent escalation of oil prices was reflected in the bids. County Engineer Mark Sehr said, "It’s maintenance, and I hate to put it off because prices changed."Each governmental entity has the right to refuse the work being done in the township or town because of the escalated price.

By Lexi MooreResidents and staff at the Tuff Memorial Home kicked off Nursing Home Week Monday with coronation and tea in the dining room.Last year’s king and queen, Norbert Peters and Laura Paulson, took a final stroll as royalty before announcing the 2006-07 candidates.Staff at the home changed the nomination process this year. Instead of asking residents to choose between several candidates, they allowed them to vote for anyone living at the home.Peters was re-instated as the king. The honor of being his queen went to Grace Walters.As Tuff royalty they will represent the home in the Buffalo Days and Friendship Days parades.Following coronation, the Red Hat Society hosted a tea in honor of mothers. They invited a group of women from the Bethlehem Lutheran Women’s Group to share a presentation about aprons.The presentation included examples of many types of aprons that have been worn in the Midwest for decades. In addition, Peggy Goettsch made apron napkin rings for the residents to keep.Nursing Home Week celebration will continue throughout the week, with special events planned for every day.There are two themes for the week, Colors of the Rainbow and Community of Treasures. To celebrate the rainbow theme, staff is asking visitors and residents to wear a certain color each day of the week.To thank the community for the treasures it contributes to life at the home, staff is offering free blood pressure and blood sugar checks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday.An auction is planned for 2:30 p.m. this afternoon. Activities Director Lou Kellenberger said this is a first for the home and believes it will be a fun event.In the evening residents and visitors are invited to play bingo.On Friday at 1:30 p.m. students from the Hills Christian School will help the residents with a balloon release.On Saturday, the final day of celebration, residents will have coffee on the patio.

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR DESCENT OF PROPERTYSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTYOF ROCKESTATE OFRobert E. Erickson, a/k/a Robert Eldon Erickson DECEDENTA Petition for Determination of Descent has been filed with this Court. The petition represents that the Decedent died more than three years ago, leaving property in Minnesota and requests the probate of decedent’s last will, if any, and the descent of such property be determined and assigned by the Court to the persons entitled to the property.Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper, and no objections are filed or raised, the Petition may be granted. IT IS ORDERED and Notice is further given, that the Petition will be heard on June 12, 2006, at 3:30 (p.m.) by this Court at Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota. (1) Notice shall be given to all interested persons (Minn. Stat. 524.1-401) and persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-204.(2) Notice shall be given by publishing the Notice and Order as provided by law and by:Mailing a copy of this Notice and Order at least 14 days prior to the hearing date. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 5/15/06Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 5/15/06Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For PetitionerDonald R. KlosterbuerKlosterbuer & Haubrich, LLP120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507-283-911156674(5-18, 5-25)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse May 02, 2006Chair Wildung called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the May 02, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to approve the April 18, 2006, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Contract 97-1453-06 with Turbes, Drealan, Kvilhaug, Mammen & Co. to provide guardianship and conservatorship services to eligible clients. Contract effective 5-1-06 to 4-30-07.Dave Smith, Rock County representative for Travel Southwest and Minnesota Tourism, provided promotional updates. Gary Holmgren, Rock County Ambulance Director and Southwest EMS Corporation, informed the County they were in receipt of a grant for (2) defibrillators that went to the Rock County Sheriff’s Office. He stated that his appointment has expired as a representative for the Southwest EMS Corporation and that he recommended Melissa Sterrett as his replacement; motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to appoint Melissa Sterrett as a representative to the Southwest EMS Corporation effective July 19, 2006, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board briefly discussed a financial request from Child Guide; the item was tabled until the May 16th County Board meeting. The County Board was in receipt of an LEC building update.The County Board was informed of a future Public Hearing date for the Southwest Regional Development Commission budget for the Fiscal Year 2007.The County Board was informed of a meeting between the Courts and Rock County Sheriff’s Office and the Building Committee of the County Board; it was determined that there would be a future follow-up regarding Security Officers for the Courts during courtroom activity. The County Board was also informed that the Annual Watershed Tour for the MAWD will be held June 22-24, 2006.The County Board was informed that the second half of SCORE funding had been disbursed to the counties. Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, and Mike Schnider, Attorney with Klosterbuer & Haubrich Law Offices, provided information regarding Judicial Ditch No. 3. They feel there is a lack of information from the Engineer’s response regarding DNR concerns around Judicial Ditch No. 3 and that additional information would be needed. By order of the Chair, the County Attorney’s Office was directed to draft a letter to the petitioners regarding additional bonding for research to be conducted. The County Board acknowledged receipt of a petition for improvements for Judicial Ditch No. 2 and the petition has been referred to the County Attorney for verification of signatures on the petition. The County Board discussed the conveyance of county property for a cell phone tower located in city limits of the city of Beaver Creek. According to Minnesota Statutes 465.035, Beaver Creek Township could receive the conveyance of the property and then convey it to a third party for the construction of a tower. The County Board took no action and Commissioner Bakken stated he would attend the Beaver Creek Township meeting to discuss the issue. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with an additions/corrections totaling $485.50 and per diems of $780.00; motion by Jarchow, seconded Boyenga, to approve the claims and per diems as presented, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General Revenue $ 36,369.42 Family Services $ 42,255.70 Road & Bridge $ 25,147.15 Capital Projects $ 48,738.29 Land Management $ 1,977.48 TOTAL $154,488.04Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote. The Auditor/Treasurer discussed the sale price of tax-forfeited property located in the City of Steen, parcel number 19-0037-000; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to set the sale price of the property at $400.00 plus applicable fees, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to re-issue a lost warrant for $6.40 payable to the State of Minnesota for mineral rights, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve the following abatements totaling $5,442.00, declared carried on a voice vote. o02-0051-100 located in the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 in 06-102-46; Solid Waste $42.00o01-0008-000 located in the SW 1/4 of 02-104-44; Tax abatement $398.00o01-0048-000 located in the N 1/2 of SW 1/4 of 11-104-44; Tax abatement $440.00o01-0147-000 located in the NE 1/4 of 31-104-44; Tax abatement $164.00 o02-0149-000 located in the SW 1/4 of 27-102-46; Tax abatement $214.00o03-0090-000 located in the SE 1/4 of 22-101-45; Tax abatement $200.00o03-0144-000 located in the SE 1/4 of 20-101-45; Tax abatement $354.00o04-0046-100 located in the N 1/2 of NE 1/4 of 03-104-45; Tax abatement $432.00o07-0064-000 located in the NE 1/4 of 23-102-44; Tax abatement $264.00o08-0086-000 located in the E 1/2 of NE 1/4 of 16-101-46; Tax abatement $288.00o09-0040-000 located in the SE 1/4 of 09-103-45; Tax abatement $428.00o09-0164-000 located in the NE 1/4 of 35-103-45; Tax abatement $1,004.00o10-0023-000 located in the NE 1/4 of 05-104-46; Tax abatement $436o10-0026-000 located in the NW 1/4 of 05-104-46; Tax abatement $276.00o11-0211-000 located in the NW 1/4 of 28-103-46; Tax abatement $214.00o11-0211-000 located in the SW 1/4 of 28-103-46; Tax abatement $186.00o12-0127-000 located in the SW 1/4 of 06-103-44; Tax abatement $144.00Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to enter into a management letter with Larson Allen to conduct the 2006 audit, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to purchase a book entitled "Minnesota Courthouses," which features the Rock County Courthouse, and donate the book to the Rock County Library, declared carried on a voice voteCommissioner Jarchow informed the County Board that he had attended the Southwest Minnesota Initiative Foundation Annual meeting. Commissioner Hoime stated that the Energy Task Force is scheduling a tour on June 22 & 23 for metro members.Commissioner Bakken stated he had attended the RSVP Annual meeting.The County Board was informed of an Immunization Clinic drill for essential personnel to be held on June 15th at the National Guard Armory. With no further business to come before the board, meeting was declared adjourned.Jane Wildung, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(5-18)