By John RittenhouseThe 2005-06 gymnastics season came to an end for the Luverne Cardinals during the Section 3A Championships staged in Jackson Saturday.In what was a disappointing meet for the Cardinals, Luverne placed seventh in a 10-team field by scoring 125.825 points.Martin County West won the section team title with 142.175 counters.Jackson County Central (138.375), Worthington (136.9), New Ulm (134.775), Marshall (128.825) and Redwood Valley (128.475) also topped the Cardinals in the team standings.Pipestone (123.45), St. James (120.45) and Windom (114.025) finished behind LHS.Along with the championship team, the top four finishers in each individual event at section competition qualify for the state meet. No Cardinals met the qualifying standards as their 17-13 season is complete.Victoria Arends and Brittany Mulder turned in Luverne’s best efforts on the vault.Arends shared sixth place with JCC’s Kylla Bargfrede with identical 8.95 efforts.Mulder and MCW’s Danielle Sandberg tied for seventh place with 8.925 efforts.Arends turned in Luverne’s best score on the bars, an 8.1. Mulder paced LHS on the beam (7.4), floor (8.25) and in the all-around competition (32.175).Claiming section titles are MCW’s Sabrina Steen (9.525 on the floor) and Kristeena Patsche (36.675 all-around), Worthington’s Kayla Block (9.15 on the vault) and Christina Sorenson (9.4 on the beam), and Marshall’s Amy Daniels (9.425 on the bars).Individual resultsVault: Arends, 8.95; Mulder, 8.925; Morgan Bosshart, 8.9; Courtney Fodness, 8.475; LaRae Kor, 7.95.Bars: Arends, 8.1; Fodness, 7.875; Bosshart, 7.65; Mulder, 7.6; Krista Van Dyk, 5.75.Beam: Mulder, 7.4; Fodness, 7.375; Brittany Sandager, 6.625; Arends, 6.15; Van Dyk, 6.05.Floor: Mulder, 8.25; Fodness, 8.225; Bosshart, 7.825; Arends, 7.5; Sandager, 7.0.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls’ basketball team locked up its first winning season in eight years by defeating Jackson County Central Tuesday night in Luverne.The win was preceded by a nine-point home loss to St. James, a team the Cardinals could meet in the second round of the South Section 3AA Tournament.Luverne drew the third seed for the section event. The 13-10 Cardinals host No. 6 Redwood Valley in a quarterfinal-round that begins at 7 p.m. Saturday.Luverne 43, JCC 38The Cardinals clinched their first winning season since the 1997-98 campaign when they bested the Huskies by five points in Luverne Tuesday.Playing the game without senior leader Maggie Kuhlman, who is nursing a knee injury sustained during Saturday’s game against St. James, LHS had to pull together as a team to knock off JCC.The Cardinals got the job done by overcoming a two-point (21-19) halftime deficit by outscoring the Huskies 24-17 in the final 18 minutes of play."It’s great to have a winning season, but I would like to see it carry over into the playoffs," said LHS coach Jason Phelps."We worked hard to get to this point, and now we’ll see if we can win a couple of games in the playoffs."Tuesday’s game was up for grabs until the final two minutes, when fate seemed to favor the Cards.After LHS missed two free throws down the stretch, Gacke rebounded both misses and turned them into field goals to put the Cards in front to stay.Gacke finished the game with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Mindy Nieuwboer led LHS with 14 points.Box scoreKlein 0 1 5-10 8, Nieuwboer 1 2 6-7 14, Snyder 3 0 2-3 8, Vogt 1 0 0-0 2, Gacke 3 1 2-5 11, Hoiland 0 0 0-0 0.Team statisticsLuverne: 12 of 42 field goals (29 percent), 15 of 25 free throws (60 percent), 33 rebounds, 15 turnovers.JCC: 16 of 48 field goals (33 percent), five of 10 free throws (50 percent), 29 rebounds, 20 turnovers.SJ 59, Luverne 50The visiting Saints snapped Luverne’s five-game winning streak when the teams squared off in Luverne for a Saturday afternoon tilt.In what could be a preview of a South Section 3AA Tournament semifinal clash, Luverne made an early statement by taking a 24-19 lead in the first half.St. James, however, outscored the Cards 40-26 in the second half to win by nine.The Saints led 5-3 early in the game before Luverne countered with a 12-4 surge capped by a three-point shot from Alyssa Klein at the 5:37 mark of the first half to give the hosts a 15-9 advantage.After the Saints knotted the score at 19, Luverne received a field goal from Gacke and a three-point shot from Maggie Kuhlman in the final minute of the first half to gain a five-point halftime cushion.Luverne led by three (28-25) when Nieuwboer drained a pair of free throws at 13:17 of the second half, but the rest of the game belonged to SJ.The Saints used a 30-12 run to open a 55-40 lead with 2:08 remaining before settling for a nine point win.Klein led the Cards with 10 points, four steals and three assists in the game. Nieuwboer collected nine rebounds. Gacke had five rebounds and blocked three shots.Box scoreKlein 3 1 1-2 10, Nieuwboer 3 0 3-5 9, Snyder 4 0 1-2 9, Kuhlman 0 3 0-0 9, Hoiland 1 0 2-2 4, Vogt 1 0 0-0 2, Gacke 3 0 1-4 7.Team statisticsLuverne: 19 of 57 field goals (33 percent), eight of 15 free throws (53 percent), 28 rebounds, 17 turnovers.SJ: 21 of 40 field goals (53 percent), 15 of 24 free throws (63 percent).

By John RittenhouseThe dream of winning three straight Section 3AA Team Wrestling Tournaments became a reality for the Adrian Dragons Friday in Lamberton.After starting the night with a convincing 62-5 win over Marshall in the semifinals, the Dragons gained their three-peat by upending Tracy-Milroy-Balaton 36-22 in the championship match.By winning their third straight section title, the Dragons matched a program standard of reaching the state tournament as a team set during the 1983 through 1985 campaigns."We wrestled really solid," said AHS coach Gregg Nelson. "We only got pinned once, and we won the matches we were supposed to win. I have no complaints."The 31-7 Dragons will wrestle in the state quarterfinals at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul Thursday, March 2. Adrian meets Section 1AA champion Plainview-Elgin-Millville to open the tournament.Adrian competes at the Section 3AA Individual Wrestling Friday (5 p.m.) and Saturday in Redwood Falls.Adrian 36, T-M-B 22The Dragons erased a nine-point deficit in the championship match to best the Panthers by 14 points Friday in Lamberton.T-M-B, which led 15-6 after Chad Cooreman pinned Tanner Loosbrock in 3:39 at 135 pounds, found themselves facing a 19-15 deficit moments later. Adrian’s Brandon Bullerman won by injury default at 140, Andy Heitkamp nipped Drew Hebig 7-5 at 145 and Zach Reker posted a 10-2 major decision win over Andy Nelson at 152 to give AHS a four-point lead.The Panthers regained the lead at 22-19 when James Prairie saddled Clint Metz with a 13-0 major decision loss and Paul Carlson nipped Tyler Wagner 4-3 at 171, but the rest of the matches belonged to AHS.Nate Engelkes pinned Dan Dieter in 1:48 during the 189-pound match to give the Dragons a 25-22 advantage before Cody Reverts iced the section title by beating Tyler Bauer by technical fall at 215.Will Lutmer then pinned Nathan Jacob at heavyweight to add six more points to the winning tally.Posting wins for Adrian early in the match were Brock Bullerman (6-2 over Zach Campbell at 103) and Tony Thier (4-2 in overtime over Derek Evans at 130).Match wrap-up103 (A) Bk.Bullerman6-2 Campbell.112 (T) Thao 9-6 Tiesler.119 (T) Prairie 7-3 S.Loosbrock.125 (T) Cooreman 13-0 Gades.130 (A) Thier 4-2 Evans.135 (T) Cooremanpins T.Loosbrock.140 (A) Bd.Bullermanby injury default.145 (A) Heitkamp 7-5 Hebig.152 (A) Reker 10-2 Nelson.160 (T) Prairie 13-0 Metz.171 (T) Carlson 4-3 Wagner.189 (A) Engelkes pins Dieter.215 (A) Reverts t.f Bauer.275 (A) Lutmer pins 1:12.Adrian 62, Marshall 5The Dragons dominated the Tigers during a 57-point victory in Friday’s semifinals in Lamberton.Adrian, which drew two forfeits during the match, won 11 of 12 battles staged on the mat.Registering pins for AHS were Tanner Loosbrock (1:28 over Garrett Dubelde), Brandon Bullerman (1:38 over Brett Crecelius), Reker (3:01 over Adam Oakland), Wagner (3:30 over Dan Marron) and Engelkes (2:27 over Caleb Bruns).Thier won by technical fall for the Dragons.Brock Bullerman (2-0 over Nate Zeinstra), Stephen Loosbrock (3-0 over Anthony Coequyt), Matt Gades (6-1 over Sam Oglesby), Heitkamp (7-6 over Ethan Lundberg) and Lutmer (10-4 over Blake Nath) notched decision wins for AHS.Match wrap-up103 (A) Bk.Bullerman 2-0 Zeinstra.112 (M) Jeremiason t.f. Tiesler.119 (A) S.Loosbrock 3-0 Coequyt.125 (A) Gades 6-1 Oglesby.130 (A) Thier t.f. Westberg.135 (T.Loosbrock pins Dubelde.140 (A) Bd.Bullermanpins Crecelius.145 (A) Heitkamp 7-6 Lundberg.152 (A) Reker pins Oakland.160 (A) Metz by forfeit. 171 171 (A) Wagner pins Marron.189 (A) D.Engelkes by forfeit.215 (A) N.Engelkes pins Bruns.275 (A) Lutmer 10-4 Nath.

LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLSLuverne, MinnesotaFebruary 9, 2006NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that sealed bids will be received by Gary Fisher, Superintendent of Schools, at Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 until 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, for the following improvements: LUVERNE PUBLIC SCHOOLS ATHLETIC TRACK AND FIELD RENOVATIONThe general nature of the work is as follows:Construction of the athletic track reconstruction project at Luverne Public Schools, including all materials, labor, and equipment necessary to complete the project. This includes, but is not necessarily limited to: demolition and removals, asphalt pulverizing/grading, asphalt paving, concrete work, resilient surfacing, lane lines and event markings, topsoil backfill, seeding and miscellaneous related work. Add and/or deduct bid alternates may be taken for various work elements.Sealed bids will be opened and publicly read at the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, at 1:00 p.m. Central Standard Time on Thursday, March 9, 2006, or at such later time and place as may then be fixed. The School Board of the Luverne Public Schools will meet in the District Office of the Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156 on the 9th day of March 2006, at 7:30 p.m., or at such time and place as may then be fixed, for action upon bids received in accordance with law and the specifications. The work must commence on or about June 5, 2006, and must be completed by August 15, 2006. Bidding documents may be examined and/or obtained for bidding purposes during normal business hours at the District Office, Luverne Public Schools, 709 North Kniss, Luverne, MN 56156. Each bidder submitting a formal bid shall accompany the bid with a Bid Security, in a separate envelope, as security that the successful bidder will enter into a contract for the work bid upon and will furnish after the award of the contract corporate surety bond or bonds, acceptable to the Owner, for the faithful performance of the contract, in an amount equivalent to one hundred percent of the amount of the contract. The bidder’s security shall be 5% (five percent) of the bid amount, and shall be in the form of a cashier’s or certified check drawn on a bank in Minnesota or a bank chartered under the laws of the United States of America, or a certified bank share draft drawn on a credit union in Minnesota or chartered under the laws of the United States of America or a bid bond with corporate surety satisfactory to the Owner. It is the intent of the Owner to award a contract to the lowest responsible bidder meeting specifications, provided the bid has been submitted in accordance with the bidding requirements. The Owner further reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any part thereof, and to waive any informalities or irregularities and enter into such contracts or contracts as shall be deemed in the best interest of Luverne Public School District. Published by order of the School Board of the Luverne Public Schools.By: Cary Radisewitz, Ed.D. School Board Clerk(2-16, 2-23)

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALSNobles-Rock Community Health Services is soliciting proposals for agency management services.Proposals may be obtained from the Nobles-Rock Community Health Services, 315 10th Street, P.O. Box 757, Worthington, MN 56187. Proposal due date is March 31, 2006. The Nobles-Rock Community Health Board reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive any and all informalities therein and to accept any proposal deemed to be in the best interest of the agency. Dated: February 15, 2006Melvin J Ruppert, Nobles County, Co-Interim DirectorKyle Oldre, Rock County, Co-Interim Director(2-23, 3-2)

Public NoticeClose Proximity Property Owners and Local Officials of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionNotice is hereby given that the Rock County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 6th, 2006, at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 7:45 P.M. to act on the following conditional use permit application:Conditional use: Expansion of an existing feedlot located within 1/4 mile of a neighboring residence. Property Owner: Jeff & Larry SwensonLegal Description: SE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 18 in Mound Township, Rock County, Minnesota. The conditional use permit is for the expansion of an existing feedlot on the property described above. The existing feedlot has a 60’ x 210’ open lot and a 75’ x 110’ open lot, both with runoff controls to house 60 Stock Cows and 60 feeder cattle equaling 102 animal units. The proposed facility consists of a 101’ x 161’ total confinement barn to house 2000 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Using 0.3 animal units per head, total animal units are 600. The building shall have a 101’ x 161’ x 8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage. The total animal unit capacity will be 702.The described property is zoned as A-2, General Agriculture. All persons interested may appear and be heard at said time and place, or submit views in writing or by representative. Dated: February 23rd, 2006By Order of the Rock County Planning & Zoning CommissionEric Hartman, Zoning Administrator311 W. Gabrielson RoadLuverne, MN 56156507-283-8862(2-23, 3-2)

Law Library 9:00 A.M.Rock County Courthouse February 7, 2006Chair Wildung called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Bakken, to approve the February 7, 2006, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to approve the January 24, 2005, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to approve items on the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Extension Committee appointments — Carla Nieuwboer and Nick Sjaarda2. Resolution No. 02-06, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership HOME Rental Rehabilitation Program.Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a feedlot conditional use permit increasing the animal unit from 360 to 945 animal units located in section two of Beaver Creek Township. On a recommendation by the Planning & Zoning Commission, motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the animal increase conditional use permit with seven conditions, declared carried on a voice vote. Specific conditions are stated on the conditional use permit available at the Rock County Land Records Office. Mr. Hartman informed the County Board that he had conducted a poll of the surrounding eighteen counties requesting information as to whether or not a County Commissioner(s) is appointed to their Planning & Zoning Board. Results of that poll indicated that fourteen counties do have commissioner representation on the Planning & Zoning Board. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to authorize up to $3,000.00 to Paulsen Architects for services regarding the Heartland Express building project, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to appoint Marlin Mann to the Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority, declared carried on a voice vote. Randy Ehlers, FSA Director, Diane Holmberg, FSA Financial Supervisor II, and Southwest Private Industry Council Representatives Juanita Lauritsen, Mary Mulder and Brian Sietsema presented an agency annual report; no action was taken. Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented information regarding Judicial Ditch No. 2 and 3 along with a 2006 County State Aid Highway apportionment information that reflected a slight increase for Rock County. Don Klosterbuer, County Attorney, discussed the results of the recent sales tax audit. After discussion, it was determined that the county would write a letter discussing its displeasure with the state’s approach to the sales tax audit; however, the county will not be appealing.Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented program information entitled "Help America to Vote Act" (HAVA) and the local equipment plan. Following discussion, motion by Boyenga, seconded by Jarchow, requesting the County Attorney and Auditor/Treasurer to write a letter to the townships explaining the maintenance and programming of the voting machine equipment, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Jarchow, seconded by Hoime, to pay the claims and per diems of $160.00, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.General Revenue $ 44,229.56Family Services $ 27,030.28Road & Bridge $ 36,401.65Land Management $ 445.38TOTAL $108,106.87Motion by Bakken, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the fund balances, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed that the State Auditor would be conducting the county’s audit in 2006 — 2008.The County Board was in receipt of a funding request from Southwest Minnesota Arts & Humanities of $1,000.00; by order of the County Board Chair, it was directed to the allocations listing in July. The County Board briefly discussed meetings that had been held with school districts 2184 and 671 regarding snow removal routes on county roads. They also informed the board that they would have a City of Luverne/Rock County Liaison meeting and that various projects will be discussed at that meeting as well. Commissioner Hoime requested that the Master Gardeners attend a future board meeting and give a presentation. Commissioner Bakken requested that the Big Buddies and After School programs of both school districts also attend a future board meeting to present program updates.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(2-23)

NOTICETO THE POLICYHOLDERS OF BEAVER CREEK MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANYAny policyholder wishing to be a candidate for the Office of Director must file such notice in writing with the Secretary, at the Home Office of the Company in Luverne, Minnesota, at least Thirty days prior to the April 4, 2006, Annual meeting of the Company, as provided by the Article of Incorporation. Last day for filing will be March 4, 2006.BY ORDER OF THE DIRECTORSMaurice Fitzer, PresidentKenneth Husen, Secretary/s/ Kenneth HusenKenneth HusenSecretary-Manager(2/23)

New search for hospital administrator It looked as though the search for the new administrator for the Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital was about to end, but for personal reasons the candidate who had been selected declined the offer. According to hospital officials, the search process will now start from the beginning.The process is expected to take approximately two months to find an appropriate candidate and another four to six weeks for the that person to give notice to his current employers.The new administrator will replace Jerry Carl, who announced his anticipated retirement several months ago.‘End of the Spear’ to show at the PalaceThe Palace Theatre is scheduled to show "The End of the Spear" this weekend, Feb. 24-26.The movie is a true story of an Ecuadorian tribesman, Mincayani, who left his homeland to become a Christian missionary after his tribe murdered a group of American missionaries.The Christian-based movie is expected to draw large crowds for the Palace and may be held over if the demand warrants it.Next on the Palace’s agenda will be the Green Earth Players’ production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream."The production crew will move into the Palace on March 11, with opening night scheduled for Friday, March 17.The play is scheduled to run two weekends.Elderhostel at Lake ShetekShetek Lutheran Ministries, in conjunction with Augustana College, will again host an Elderhostel on the shores of Lake Shetek May 7-12.Participants will hear stories about the Buffalo Ridge as well as the prairie and lake country.Field trips to the sacred red quarries at Pipestone National Monument, the End-O-Line Railroad Park and visits to the sites associated with the 1862 Dakota Conflict at Lake Shetek will be among the activities.The group will also investigate the Buffalo Ridge wind generators, local agriculture in the 21st century, regional entomology and birds of southwest Minnesota, as well as recounting the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder.Participants may either stay on the property or commute to the programs daily.For more information contact Jon Hoyme at 507-763-3567 or visit the Web site: www.elderhostel.org.Some problems for Vets Home system, but Luverne gets high marksA recent consultant’s report to the Governor of Minnesota has given the five veterans homes in the state high marks for care and service.The report went on to say that most facilities exceed expectations.The report had some concerns about leadership roles and regulatory problems, particularly at the Minneapolis Vets Home, the largest of the five veterans homes in the system with 341 beds.The report referred to the Fergus Falls nursing home as being one of the best nursing homes reviewed in Minnesota, and it also singled out Luverne as being "a very strong performer."A total of 1380 veterans are cared for in the system’s nursing homes and assisted care facilities in Minnesota.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com