By Lori EhdeA contingent of Rock County residents joined thousands of family members and friends at a Mississippi military base last week to spend time with soldiers about to head overseas.There are 73 National Guard members with the Luverne and Pipestone units who will join 2,600 Minnesota soldiers leaving for Iraq.That represents the largest number of the state’s National Guard troops to see combat since World War II. Gov. Tim Pawlenty was on hand in Fort Shelby to address soldiers and their families at the deployment ceremony. "Our country loves you. Our country is deeply proud of you," he said Thursday. "We live in challenging times. Ease and comfort don't build the world we want to live in. We're here today to thank over 4,000 soldiers and their families."Parents, spouses, children and well-wishers huddled under ponchos and umbrellas Thursday to say good-bye.Luverne’s Don and Sharon Deutsch were among them to support their son, Brad."This will be the longest amount of time we’ve been separated, and we never questioned not going," Sharon said."We’ve already lost one child, so we know all too well that we have to take advantage of all the time we get with the boys. I know he was happy we were there."She said the rainy weather was disappointing, but the ceremonies were well worth it."I will say I’ve never seen anything that moved me so much as when thousands of soldiers started marching on the field," Deutsch said. "I wish more people could have seen and felt the emotions from the crowd that day."She said she was impressed by the morale of the soldiers. "They were actually comforting us, trying to make us feel better about them leaving," she said. "A lot of them seemed to just want to get over there, do the job, and come home again. I didn’t hear any of the soldiers complain – it was just incredible to hear and see what these people have been doing the last few months."The Pipestone-Luverne soldiers left home in September and have been training for the past six months. Now they will put to use their expertise in what will likely be combat areas near Baghdad."It just can’t be expressed how we feel to have our loved ones involved in this," Deutsch said. "I just don’t know how to convey all the feelings we’ve experienced … since he completed basic and AIT training."Making the trip to say good-bye took time and money for those who made it through. The Deutsches paid for 22 nights of motel rooms just for their immediate family, plus the grandparents. In addition they paid for meals, gas and miscellaneous expenses. To make matters worse, government officials granted extensions to displaced hurricane victims living in hotel rooms in Hattiesburg near Fort Shelby. That meant visiting military families who had reserved rooms were turned away last week."I think everyone burned a lot of gas, as most of us could not get motel rooms in Hattiesburg – we were 75 miles away," Deutsch said."I don’t know how some of the young families managed – it’s a huge expense, and some of them are hurting financially anyway. But I did not hear anyone complain – we were all happy we could be together before they left."Patti Thielbar made the trip with her children and her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bart and Paula Thielbar to say good-bye to Brock Thielbar.She said getting there was hectic because the weather caused flight cancellations and delays. But she said she was grateful their hotel rooms were available in Hattiesburg."Other than the weather, I definitely wouldn’t have changed a thing," Patti said.She said the ceremonies and activities were tasteful.U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton traveled from St. Paul to Camp Shelby on Wednesday, March 15, and St. Paul businesses shared delicacies that day.More than 8,000 complimentary steaks were served from the popular Mancini’s Char House, St. Paul, in addition to food and refreshments from Cosetta’s, O’Gara’s Bar & Grill and others at a picnic gathering. Festivities also featured family entertainment, bands and inflatable gym equipment for children.Luverne’s Sandy Maxwell agreed that the trip was worth making to say good-bye to her daughter, Erin Lammert, and to see where she’s been living and training the past six months."I think they’re really prepared and ready to go," Maxwell said after returning to Luverne. "Some of their stuff has already been shipped over, and I think they know that it’s time."Harry and Bernice Blomgren, Beaver Creek, weren’t able to travel to Fort Shelby, but they exchange frequent letters with their son 1st Lt. Wade Blomgren, Minneapolis.Bernice shared the following excerpt from a recent letter that she said reflected the sincerity and dedication of both a son and soldier. "I wouldn’t be the man I am today if it weren’t for you two," wrote the Hills-Beaver Creek High School graduate to his parents. "I am leaving for a place where the score is for real. The stakes are high, but so is the payoff. I know this is going to be a hand I win! There isn’t a job in the world I would rather have right now. I am part of the best trained, competent destroyers of evil I have ever seen. These men and I will come home at all costs to the country of Iraq. We will be there to help until the second that their simple-mindedness puts the life of one of my men in danger. That will be the last stupid thing they will ever do. "I have learned so many things about myself since I have been here. The one thing that I have been happy to realize is that I play the part very well. I play the part of a businessman, husband and lover at home, but here it is something different. I play the part of organized chaos, with unparalleled intensity and great agility. We are here training to do nothing more than kill people who have no regard for human life or social equality."

By Lori EhdeDon and Crystal Ellefson, Luverne, announced this week that they’re buying the Country Kitchen restaurant from Jan and Raney Israelson.The ownership transfer, which becomes official next month, will signify the end of Country Kitchen in Luverne and the start of an independent family restaurant for the Ellefsons.The new name for the restaurant (pending approval from the Department of Commerce) is "Chit Chat’s Family Restaurant," and it will continue to offer sit-down, family style meals and service that Country Kitchen did."We’re not going to make it a sports bar or anything," said Don Ellefson, who brings more than 20 years of culinary experience to the business."Jan and Raney have been great owners and operators, and I will continue to offer excellent food and great service at a reasonable price."A grand opening is planned for July to formally introduce new signage and menus, but he said no major remodeling is planned. "It will be a similar menu and I’ll throw in some favorites from my past catering and restaurant experience," said Ellefson, who holds a bachelor’s degree in restaurant management from Southwest State University, Marshall.Culinary résuméThe son of LeRoy and Lanett Ellefson, he grew up in Jasper and got his first job at 16 washing dishes for the Glass House restaurant in Ihlen. He soon started working in the kitchen there, and two years later left for college.While in Marshall, he cooked two years at the Best Western Inn and a year at the Mediterranean Club in Tracy.He moved back to Jasper where he owned and operated the Jasper Lanes for two years before becoming an instructor of culinary arts at Southwest Technical College in Pipestone for a year.In 1993, he became deli manager for Glen’s Food Center, but left after a year to manage a family restaurant in Redfield, South Dakota.He returned to Luverne in 1995 to become deli and catering manager for Glen Gust at Glen’s Food Center. In 2001, he also assumed responsibilities of the Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center, also owned by Gust.Ellefson said he now looks forward to working for his own cause."I have been wanting to start my own business for quite some time, and this opportunity made that possible," Ellefson said.End of 30-year Country Kitchen era in LuverneSelling the restaurant to the Ellefsons will be the end of 30 years of Country Kitchen in Luverne.In 1983, the Israelsons bought the franchise from Jim Drake, who had owned it for seven years prior to that."Country Kitchen is the oldest franchise restaurant in the country — we’re even older than McDonald’s," Raney said. "A group of investors from Ohio started putting them up more than 60 years ago along with Mobil Stations."Luverne’s Country Kitchen and Mobil Station appeared not long after Interstate 90 was completed.The Israelsons had been planning to retire once Raney turned 65, and that was a year ago, so they said the time had come."We’ll miss the people. You do acquire friendships with a lot of your customers," Raney said. "You get to know them personally, and you always make time to sit down and visit with them."He added that interstate customers add strangers from the East Coast to the West Coast to the crowd to keep things interesting."I just want to thank the community and all the people who have patronized us for 23 years," he said. "We’re going to miss them."He said customers remained loyal after the business switched to a smoke-free restaurant last year, and some new ones started coming as a result. The Israelsons said they’ll especially miss their employees. "We’ve employed a lot of people through the years," Raney said. "A lot of kids got their first jobs with us and then went on to become doctors and lawyers."The business employs about 30 people, half of which are full-time. Two of their current full-time employees have been with them since they started 23 years ago, their daughter, Staci Zwaan, and Mary Lou Gonnerman."Staci and Mary Lou were actually there two years before we bought the business," Raney said. "They’ve both quit at times and have come back to us."Jan hinted that she’ll apply for a part-time job as hostess for the Ellefsons, just to stay in touch."I just cried the other day when we had a staff meeting about it. We have enjoyed our time here, but it’s hard to move on," she said, adding that they’ll stay in Luverne to be close to children and grandchildren."We wish Don and Crystal all the best of luck in their new adventure."

10 years ago (1996)
Bertha Wendt will turn 100 April 1.
Luverne’s Natilee Hubbling was selected to the All-Southwest Conference Girls’ Basketball Team. Heather Brinkman received honorable mention.Pat Churchill and Jeff Sehr made the All-Southwest Conference Boys’ Basketball Team.
CORN-er Stone Cooperative’s steering committee is still looking for more investors before it finalizes plans to construct an ethanol plant. The group has secured $4 million from Broin Enterprises, city of Luverne money and private investments.25 years ago (1981)
Green Earth Players are finishing practices for their upcoming performace of the musical comedy "Once Upon a Mattress."
The fire danger in Rock County is growing due to continued dry weather.
Luverne adds softball to its choices of girls’ sports. It will start in the spring of 1982.50 years ago (1956)
Three men filed for mayor this week to make it a four-way mayoral race. Lawrence Foight, Alvin Gehrke, Paul Schewitz and Warren Schoon. Schoon previously said he wouldn’t file for re-election.
Plans to establish a police radio for Rock County eased ahead somewhat as the result of a meeting of county and city officials here Monday. It is possible for a community to secure financial assistance from the Civil Defense for a two-way police radio that can be utilized in case of a national emergency.75 years ago (1931)
Luverne Mayor E.W. Brown announced that he will not be a candidate for re-election.
Two incidents of wholesale hog stealing came to light last week when T.I. Thompson, of Vienna Township, discovered that 15 head of Hampshire hogs had been stolen from his feel lot, and a buyer at Edgerton found that 17 hogs that had been quartered in the stockyards at that place were missing.
A purse containing about $80, the property of Miss Kathryn Delaney, mysteriously disappeared from the Manitou Beauty shop following the supper hour Friday, but was as mysteriously returned Monday, with the contents intact. The assumption is that the person who took the purse suffered the pangs of conscience and decided to make the proper restitution.100 years ago (1906)
William Loose, son of Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Loose, was married on the 7th of March, at Waukon, Iowa, to Miss Emma Hagemeier, of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Loose arrived at Beaver Creek Saturday and a reception in their honor was given that evening at the home of the groom’s parents, which was largely attended. "The young couple will begin housekeeping at once on the home farm in Luverne Township. The Herald joins in the congratulations and good wishes extended the bride and groom by their host of friends.

STATE OF MINNESOTA IN DISTRICT COURTCOUNTY OF ROCK FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTCase Type: Quiet Title ActionCourt File Mouw’s Feed and Grain, Inc., a Minnesota Corporation, Plaintiffvs.Hardwick Grain Company, a Minnesota Corporation;Bernard Johnson; Martha Johnson; LeRoy Vanden Bosch; Louetta Vanden Bosch; Earl D. Scott; Marcella G. Scott; Randolph Scott; Jerry R. Scott; Brandee Scott; Jerilyn A. Kille;the unknown heirs of Earl D. Scott a/k/a Earl Scott;the unknown heirs of Randolph Scott; George Boelman; Cornelia Boelman; Eugene Boelman; Dorothy Boelman; Jayne Boelman; David Boelman; Leigh Boelman; the unknownheirs of George Boelman; the unknown heirs of Eugene Boelman;Jayne Boelman as Personal Representative of the Estate of CorneliaBoelman; the unknown heirs of Cornelia Boelman; the City of Hardwick, Minnesota, a Minnesota Municipal Corporation; and all other persons unknown claiming anyright, title, estate, interest or lien in the real estatedescribed in the complaint herein, Defendants.SUMMONSTHE STATE OF MINNESOTA TO THE ABOVE-NAMED DEFENDANTS.You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon Plaintiff’s attorneys an Answer to Complaint, which is filed in the office of the Court Administrator of the above-named county, within twenty (20) days after service of this Summons upon you, exclusive of the day of service. If you fail to do so, judgment by default will be taken against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint. This action involves, affects, or brings in question real property situated in the County of Rock, State of Minnesota, described as follows:All that part of the abandoned Chicago and Rock Island Railroad right-of-way in the City of Hardwick, lying south of the south line of First Street and north of the north line of Main Street also being part of the North Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 35, Township 104 North, Range 45 West, Rock County, Minnesota, and being more particularly described as follows:Commencing at the Southwest corner of Block 4 of the recorded plat of the Village of Hardwick, Minnesota, said point also being the Point of Beginning of this description; thence North 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds West along the Northeasterly right-of-way line of said abandoned railroad, a distance of 316.52 feet to said south First Street line; thence South 89 degrees 32 minutes 46 seconds West along said south street line, a distance of 304.42 feet to the Southwesterly right-of-way line of said abandoned railroad; thence South 10 degrees 32 minutes 04 seconds East, along said Southwesterly right-of-way line a distance of 313.59 feet to said North Main Street line; thence South 89 degrees 52 minutes 39 seconds East along said North street line, a distance of 303.94 feet to the Point of Beginning.Said parcel contains 2.16 acres of land, more or less.AND A parcel of land located in that part of the abandoned Chicago and Rock Island Railroad right-of-way lying South of the South line of Main Street and North of the South line of the North Half of the Northeast Quarter of Section 35, Township 104 North, Range 45 West, City of Hardwick, Rock County, Minnesota, and in that part of the recorded plat of the Village of Hardwick, Minnesota, said parcel also being more particularly described as follows:Commencing at the Northwest corner of Block 1 of said plat, said point also being the Point of Beginning of this description; thence North 89 degrees 31 minutes 02 seconds West, assumed bearing, along said south Main Street line, a distance of 305.00 feet to the Southwesterly right-of-way line of said abandoned railroad, thence South 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds East, along said southwesterly right-of-way line, a distance of 914.43 feet to said south line as platted of the North Half of the Northeast Quarter of said section; thence North 89 degrees 36 minutes 31 seconds East, along said sixteenth line, a distance of 214.94 feet; thence North 00 degrees 38 minutes 58 seconds West a distance of 223.43 feet; thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes 23 seconds East parallel with the north line of said Block 1, a distance of 51.06 feet to the northeasterly right-of-way line of said abandoned railroad; thence North 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds West, along said northeasterly right-of-way line, a distance of 22.83 feet; thence South 89 degrees 29 minutes 39 seconds West, along the westerly extension of the north line of Out Lot 5 of the recorded plat of ROSS’S SECOND ADDITION TO HARDWICK, a distance of 105.90 feet; thence North 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds West, parallel with said Northeasterly right-of-way line, a distance of 163.47 feet; thence North 79 degrees 39 minutes 02 seconds East a distance of 104.34 feet to said Northeasterly right-of-way line; thence North 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds West, along said Northeasterly right-of-way line, a distance of 142.58 feet to the center line of vacated Third Street; thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes 23 seconds East along said center line, a distance of 23.00 feet to the East line extended southerly of Lot 2, Block 1 of said recorded plat of the Village of Hardwick, Minnesota; thence North, along said lot line and its southerly extension, a distance of 169.92 feet to the northeast corner of said Lot 2; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes 23 seconds West, along the North line of said Lot 1 and Lot 2 of said plat, a distance of 54.04 feet to said northeasterly right-of-way line; thence North 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds West, along said northeasterly right-of-way line, a distance of 162.61 feet to the Point of Beginning.EXCEPTING THEREFROM the following described parcel: All that part of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company’s abandoned 300 foot wide station grounds railroad right-of-way in the Town of Hardwick, located in the Northwest Quarter of the Northeast Quarter (NW1/4 of NE1/4) of Section 35, in Township 104 North, of Range 45 West, Rock County, Minnesota, described as follows:All of that part of said abandoned railroad right-of-way lying South of a line extend across the 300 foot right-of-way which commences at a point along said Southwesterly right-of-way line described as follows: Commencing at the Northwest corner of Block 1 of the recorded plat of the Village of Hardwick, Minnesota, thence North 89 degrees 31 minutes 02 seconds West, assumed bearing, along the South line of Main Street, a distance of 305.00 feet to the Southwesterly right-of-way line of said abandoned railroad; thence South 10 degrees 20 minutes 58 seconds East along said Southwesterly right-of-way line 534.43 feet to a point along the said Southwesterly right-of-way line which, when measured along said right-of-way line, is 380.00 feet Northwesterly of the South line, as platted, of the North Half of the Northeast Quarter of said section. Said line then runs parallel with the South line of the North Half of the said Northeast Quarter across the said railroad right-of-way to the Northeasterly line of the right-of-way.The object of this action is to remove, terminate and quiet any interest of the defendants to this action and to the real estate described above.NOTICE IS FURTHER GIVEN THAT NO PERSONAL CLAIM is made against any of the Defendants. If any Defendant unreasonably defends the action, then Plaintiff is requesting an order of the Court directing that said Defendant shall pay full costs to the Plaintiff. Civil cases are subject to Alternative Dispute Resolution processes as provided in Rule 114 of the General Rules of Practice for District Courts. Alternative Dispute Resolution includes mediation, arbitration, and other processes set forth in the rules. You may contact the Court Administrator for information about these processes and about resources available in your area. The undersigned hereby acknowledges that sanctions may be awarded pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 549.211.Dated this 13th day of March, 2006 /S/ DAMON T. EISMAEisma and EismaAttorneys at Law130 E. Main, PO Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507) 283-4828FAX (507) 283-9188Attorney ID No. 249269(3-16, 3-23, 3-30))

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse March 7, 2006Chair Wildung called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the March 7, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the February 21, 2006, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to schedule April 18th on the Road & Bridge Hearing, declared carried on a voice vote.The Administrator presented information regarding National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) and the requirements that are needed by September 30, 2006.Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of $160.00; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to approve the claims and per diems, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.General Revenue $ 78,091.74Family Services $ 25,676.94Road & Bridge $ 16,550.82Ditch $ 0.00Land Management $ 2,885.85TOTAL $123,205.35Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the fund balances, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, to approve Resolution No. 05-06, the adoption of an election equipment plan, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve a liquor license for the Luverne Country Club, declared carried on a voice vote. Brent Polanchek, owner/operator of Minnesota Southern Railways, presented an update on the rail line to the Rock County Board and Nobles County Board via ITV. Following discussion, the Rock County Board recommended to the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority (BRRRA) to authorize a forgivable loan of $30,000.00 to Minnesota Southern Railways for bridge improvements. Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a conditional use permit for an animal feedlot expansion located in the SE 1/4 of SE 1/4 of section 18 of Mound Township; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the conditional use permit, declared carried on a voice vote.David Morisse, MCIT Insurance Representative, presented a 2006 member board report; no action was taken.Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested approval to set the bid date of April 7, 2006, @ 10:00 A.M. for SAP 67-604-24; motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the bid date, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of a letter from Don Fiegen requesting a private meeting to discuss engineering results pertaining to Judicial Ditch No. 3. The County Board directed the Administrator to send a response to Mr. Fiegen that a private meeting with the County Board would not be possible as it would violate the Open Meeting Law. The Engineer informed the County Board that road restrictions went into effect March 8, 2006.The County Board was informed of (2) liaison meetings; one with the Hills-Beaver Creek school district on March 13th and the other with the Luverne school district on March 23rd. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve Resolution No. 04-06, approving the purchase of a new bus for Heartland Express with a 20% local mach and 80% state/federal match, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of the 2005 year-end budget and 2006 year-to-date budget; no action was taken.The County Board was in receipt of a request from Denise Severtson, Office Manager @ the Land Management Office, to go from a full-time position to a part-time position; motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize the request and to fill back with another .5 PTE position at the Land Management Office, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to enter into an agreement with Houston Engineering for a MapMorph™ software application, a tax parcel mapping interface, for $7,000.00, declared carried on a vice vote.The County Board discussed the composition of the Community Corrections Advisory Committee; Rock County is responsible for appointing a social services rep, a lay person, and prosecution rep.The County Board discussed the Mental Health building project; no action was taken.Commissioner Boyenga presented a DAC update and informed the County Board of the Rock County Rural Water Annual meeting is scheduled for March 16th @ 1:30 P.M.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(3-23)

Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Community Library February 21, 2006Chair Wildung called a Public Hearing to order for the purpose of hearing petitions for Judicial Ditch No. 2. Commissioners present were: Hoime, Jarchow and Bakken; Commissioner Boyenga was absent.The following petitions were made: 1. Kevin Hunstad, SE 1/4 of Section 11 of Rose Dell Township; 2. Kevin & Ryan Hunstad, NW 1/4 of Section 23 in Rose Dell Township; 3. Orrin Oye, N 1/2 of NW 1/4 of Section 17 of Rose Dell Township. Testimony was heard from a number of landowners located near Judicial Ditch No 2. Following their input, the Public Hearing was closed. Chair Wildung called the County Board meeting to order.Motion by Hoime, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the February 21, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to deny Judicial Ditch No. 2 petition in the SE 1/4 of Section 11 in Rose Dell Township based on a recommendation from the Judicial Ditch Advisory Committee citing that the ditch is at or above capacity, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to deny Judicial Ditch No. 2 petition in the NW 1/4 of Section 23 in Rose Dell Township based on a recommendation from the Judicial Ditch Advisory Committee citing that the ditch is at or above capacity, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to deny Judicial Ditch No. 2 petition in the N 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 17 of Rose Dell Township based on a recommendation from the Judicial Ditch Advisory Committee citing that the ditch is at or above capacity, declared carried on a voice vote. Mike Winkels, Sheriff, presented (3) quotes for a towing vehicle: state bid - $24,897.60; Papik Motors - $25,400.00; Herman Motors - $25,280.00. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to approve the purchase of a tow vehicle purchased from Herman Motors for $25,280.00 due to the anticipated delivery costs that would be additional on the state bid, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve the February 7, 2006, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.1. Foster Care licensing – Randy and Cherie JensenLynette Jauert, representative of the Master Gardeners, presented an update of future events and a project presentation of the future "Healing Garden" located at the hospital facilities. No action was taken. The County Board was updated of the loss ratio from Blue Cross Blue Shield and it reflected at 82.01% for 2005.The County Board was informed of the LEC building bid date of March 16 and a bid award date of March 21st at the regular board meeting. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems totaling $690.00; motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to pay the claims and per diems, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office. General Revenue $138,296.06Family Services $ 66,897.32Road & Bridge $ 45,042.97Ditch $ 24.03Land Management $ 1,634.36TOTAL $251,894.74Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.The County Board was informed of a letter from DAC regarding a loan repayment and repayment schedule. The DAC requested to make an additional payment in 2006.The County Board was in receipt of gravel tax information and collection for 2005; Rock County collected $36,364.17 and distributed as follows: - Road & Bridge $21,818.51- Special Reserve Fund 3,636.40- Townships 10,909.26The County Board was informed of rates changes for cleaning services at the LEC building from Service Master effective March 1, 2006; motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the rate increase, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to authorize the Auditor/Treasurer to make year-end adjustments to all line items and to transfer $100,000.00 from Reserves to the County Board budget, declared carried on a voice vote. Crystal Dunker, Prairie Ecology Bus Director, presented a program update; no action was taken. Russell Forrest, Rural Marketing Energy Marketing Representative, presented an update on site selection for a proposed ethanol plant located in Rock County.Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented fuel bids; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to award the bid to Farmers Union Coop (only compliant bidder), declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Jarchow, to approve Resolution No. 03-06, to authorize a federal grant in the amount of $418,000.00 for the participation in preliminary engineering for (3) safety audits at (3) intersection locations, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board set March 21st as the Annual Weed and Road & Bridge Hearing at 1:00 P.M.; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve the date, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board set the Judicial Ditch No. 3 Public Hearing for March 21st @ 9:00 A.M. in the Community Room of the Rock County Human Services Building. Commissioner Wildung informed the County Board that the Mental Health Building Committee is looking to partner with the Housing Partnership to build a new facility for Mental Health in Nobles County. 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(3-23)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: January 23, 2004ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $37,800.00MORTGAGOR(S).Brian Jonas, and Angela Jonas, Husband and WifeMORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc.DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded: November 23, 2004Rock County RecorderDocument #: 160229LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:A tract of land located in the West Half of the Northwest Quarter (W 1/2 NW 1/4) of Section Ten (10), Township One Hundred Three (103) North of Range Forty-four (44) West of the 5th P.M., described as follows: Beginning at the Northwest corner of said Section thence in an easterly direction 465 feet along the north line of said section to the point of beginning; thence in a southerly direction parallel with the West section line a distance of 331 feet; thence in an easterly direction parallel with the South section line a distance of 310 feet; thence in a northerly direction parallel with the East section line a distance of 331 feet; thence in a westerly direction along the North section line a distance of 310 feet to the point of beginning, containing 2.35 acres, more or lessCOUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE: $39,615.51THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: May 11, 2006 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office Courthouse Steps, West Entrance Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligation:NONETHIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTON 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.Dated: March 23, 2006 Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. MortgageeWilford & GeskeAttorneys for MortgageeLawrence A. WilfordJames A. Geske7650 Currell BoulevardSuite 300Woodbury, Minnesota 55125(651) 209-3300File ID: 12875(3-23, 3-30, 4-6, 4-13, 4-20, 4-27)

By John RittenhouseA Rock County sports legend died at the University of Minnesota-Fairview Hospital in Minneapolis Wednesday, March 15.Dick Wildung, a 1939 Luverne High School graduate, lived an 84-year life that was highlighted by football stardom and a successful business career.Wildung moved to Luverne when his family took over a grocery store in town in 1934. He started what would be a fulfilling football career as an eighth-grader.Like many of the players of the time, Wildung was a two-way starter as a lineman.Wildung turned into a top-notch football player during his days in Luverne, and his talents drew interest from the universities of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Alabama.Along with being a standout football player in Luverne, Wildung was a member of Luverne’s state tournament-qualifying basketball team in 1939,and was the Class of 1939 Salutatorian.Shortly after completing his senior football season in Luverne, University of Minnesota freshman coach Dallas Ward convinced Wildung that the school was right for the player.Wildung entered the University in the fall of 1939, but team rules wouldn’t allow freshmen to play with the varsity team back then.Wildung made up for it the next three years, earning a starting position as a tackle for two of then coach Bernie Bierman’s undefeated national championship teams in 1940 and 1941.Wildung was the team’s captain as a senior in 1942, the second of two straight seasons in which he made the All-American Team.The Green Bay Packers made Wildung their first-round draft choice in 1943. Wildung rejected their offer and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving as a lieutenant in a PT boat squadron during World War II.After leaving the Navy in 1946, he joined the Green Bay Packers for his rookie season that fall.Green Bay, which was coached by Curley Lameeau, didn’t win any championships during Wildung’s career, which spanned from 1946-1953. Wildung did make the All-Pro Team for five straight years from 1947-1951 and played in the National Football League’s first All-Pro Game in 1951. He was Green Bay’s team captain from 1948-1951.Wildung is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the Minnesota Gopher Sports Hall of Fame, the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame and the Rock County Hall of Fame.After retiring from football in 1953, Wildung spent the next seven years working at a hardware store he owned in Redwood Falls. In 1959, he sold highway and mining equipment for Brochert-Ingersoll, Inc., until retiring in 1983.His obituary appears on page 9A.

By John RittenhouseLuverne’s bid to capture its second consecutive Section 3A Boys’ Basketball Tournament title fell short Thursday at Southwest State University in Marshall.Playing the Benson Braves in a rematch of the 2005 championship tilt, the Cardinals couldn’t regain the magic that led them to a 59-50 victory one year ago. That was Luverne’s first berth in a state tournament in 22 years.Thursday’s game belonged to the Braves, who will make their first state tournament appearance since 1964 after recording a 67-52 victory over the Cardinals."I give Benson a lot of credit, because they have a very fine team," said Cardinal coach Tom Rops, who guided LHS to a 20-7 record this year."They shot the ball extremely well, they were very aggressive and they were able to make more plays than we were."Luverne is a solid team, too, and most of its success this season hinged on two things it did very well on the court.First of all, the Cardinals controlled the game’s tempo by being patient and taking care of the ball. Even more important, LHS is a defensive club.On Thursday, those factors didn’t come into play.Benson pressured the Cardinals throughout the contest, forcing LHS into 25 turnovers. The Braves also solved Luverne’s defensive scheme, making 56 percent of their field goals in the contest."The big thing was the pressure they put on us defensively," Rops said."They played a 2-1-2 defense, and it put a lot of pressure on our guards. It forced us to handle the ball well and make the correct passes to be successful, but we didn’t accomplish that. When we needed to attack their pressure, and when we did break it, we couldn’t finish our shots. As the game went on, their pressure wore us down."The Braves put some offensive pressure on the Cardinals early by scoring eight unanswered points in the first two minutes of the game.The Cardinals then found their legs and trimmed Benson’s lead to one point (11-10) with baskets by Weston Sawtelle at the 12:15 mark for the first half and from Marc Boelman (13-12) at 10:49.Senior Nick Heronimus gave the Cardinals what proved to be their only lead (14-13) of the game with a lay-in with 10:14 remaining in the first half.Benson scored the next four points before Sawtelle, who led the Cards with 18 points and three steals in the contest, hit a three-point shot to knot the score at 19 with 7:01 left to play.It was at that point when the Braves took control of the contest.Benson blanked the Cardinals over the final seven minutes of the first half, setting the stage for an 11-0 run that gave the Braves a 30-19 halftime advantage.After Benson scored the first two points of the second half, Boelman ended Luverne’s scoring lapse with a field goal at the 17:22, and Jake Clark turned an offensive rebound into a field goal at 16:58 to make it a nine-point (32-23) difference.The Braves dominated action over the next five minutes, putting together a 20-4 run ending with Dan Fragotdt draining a field goal with 12:03 left to play to make it a 52-27 game.Luverne did fight back and trimmed the difference to 14 points (57-43) when senior Jake Hendricks converted a layup with 5:57 remaining.The Cardinals, however, couldn’t inch any closer the rest of the way as the Braves outscored LHS 10-9 in the final 5:50 to win by 15."We just didn’t handle their pressure the way we wanted to," Rops said."They didn’t have speedy guards. They were tall and lanky guards who were tipping our passes, resulting in turnovers that led to some easy baskets for them. It was their length that hurt us more than their quickness did."The LHS coach said the Cardinals didn’t play their best basketball in the title tilt, but one game should not overshadow the season Luverne experienced this winter."I’m very proud of what this team accomplished," Rops said. "I know the kids feel bad now, because they were so close to getting where they wanted to go, then it all ends like this. They have to remember that we won 20 games this year, and I’m very proud of that."Box scoreBruynes 0 0 0-0 0, Ward 0 0 0-0 0, Haakenson 0 0 0-0 0, Boomgaarden 1 0 0-0 2, Boelman 2 0 1-2 5, Miller 1 0 0-0 2, Hendricks 1 1 0-0 5, Clark 2 0 1-2 5, Uphoff 0 0 0-0 0, Sawtelle 3 3 3-5 18, Stegemann 0 0 0-0 0, Boeve 3 0 1-1 7, DeBoer 0 0 0-0 0, Hoff 0 0 2-2 2, Heronimus 2 0 2-2 6.Team statisticsLuverne 19 of 52 field goals (37 percent), 10 of 14 free throws (71 percent), 23 rebounds, 25 turnovers.Benson: 32 of 57 field goals (56 percent), three of seven free throws (42 percent), 26 rebounds, 17 turnovers.