Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center and the Community Blood Bank conducted a blood drive in Luverne Jan. 24, and again local donors responded generously.The Community Blood Bank has received a total of 866 donations of blood at public hospital/clinic blood drives. The Community Blood Bank is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital and 29 other hospitals in Southwest Minnesota, Eastern South Dakota and Northwest Iowa. Several local donors reached "milestone" donations. Reaching the five gallon mark was Glen Goembel, and those reaching the one gallon mark were Rita Bush, Joyce Eickhoff, Jerome Jensen and Deanna Pick. Congratulations to these individuals. Their donations are very much appreciated, as are the Luverne Pizza Ranch buffet coupons that are given to donors during the drive. They are a big hit!Blood donations help ensure that an adequate supply of blood is always available. Again, thanks, area residents, for your past and future support of the Community Blood Bank! We hope to see everyone at the next blood drive on Tuesday, April 4.Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center Staff

It is clear that the Conditional Use Permit issued by the Planning Committee last week is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan recently adopted by the city of Luverne. The Comprehensive Plan states under Land Use and Character P. 31- Kniss Avenue- The Comprehensive Plan does not seek to change the land use pattern along Kniss north of Main Street. The Plan seeks to sustain and enhance the residential quality of Kniss Avenue corridor north of Main Street. The noncommercial character of this corridor is part of Luverne’s character. Redevelopment efforts should focus on residential use. Projects should consider the consolidation of blocks facing Kniss to allow for access from side streets. This position was also addressed in a public meeting. The Hoisington Koegler Group consultant stated that the funeral home was not a good fit on the Fledgling Field property because of access and parking problems. He also stated the lot was too small to accommodate it. The plan calls for 41 parking spaces. Mr. Dingmann knew that the lot he arranged to buy for $41,000 in 2000 was zoned residential. He apparently didn’t want to pay the extra 100,000+ to buy a commercial lot. He also didn’t want to pay the extra expense to have the medical clinic altered for the funeral home. How much has Mr. Dingmann’s failure to buy a commercial lot cost this city in time, expense and aggravation? The funeral business is a lucrative one so there is really no economic reason he cannot afford a commercial lot like other business owners. All in all, why do the residents surrounding Fledgling Field have to have their property values reduced and have a reduced quality of life in order for Mr. Dingmann to get his cheap residential lot. There are so many other commercial development sites available. Why did the Planning Committee OK the permit when it clearly is not consistent with the Comprehensive Plan? It just doesn’t smell right. The funeral home should be located in a commercial area and not in a residential one that has so much character. Follow the Comprehensive Plan. Jeff and Lori Wollman Luverne

On Jan. 29 I attended a concert at the Palace Theatre. The Chamber Orchestra from the Sioux Falls Symphony performed Mozart’s perfect music so beautifully, it was a great pleasure to hear.We are really fortunate to have extraordinary musicians come to Luverne to entertain us, and I want to thank the Blue Mound Area Theater members for working hard to bring "world-class" music here. (I know that Ben Vander Kooi is the president of this group and I don’t know who else is involved, but thanks to you all.)I’ll look forward to Emily Lodine’s concert coming up this Saturday evening.June PolzinLuverne

I always think it is interesting how many people have an opinion about something even when it does not affect them personally. I am referring to the Dingmann Funeral Home that has been trying to locate in our neighborhood for the last five years.Why do people feel they have a right to tell you what should be in your neighborhood? Some people would not want a funeral home in their neighborhood, but they have no problem with it being in mine.There was an article in the Nov. 9, 2000, issue of the Star Herald that quoted Gary Verkinnes (who bought the land from the school district) saying, "Several city officials led me to that property. In fact, said it would be a great spot for a funeral home." And did I mention that it wasn’t zoned for a funeral home at the time this all started? So let’s work that into our $50,000 Comprehensive Plan, call it good and tell the neighbors we’re moving in! The whole thing started under the table and the outcome is a result of this. They wanted it, kept at it and got what they wanted.Jeane LeslieLuverne

In the Jan. 19 issue of the Star Herald, there was a wonderful editorial highlighting the vitality of the arts in Luverne. We first want to thank the Star Herald for the recognition of the arts community as a whole. Indeed, the local churches, theatre, and school music activities produce wonderful performances and each deserves due credit. Some very talented community members and students are right here in Luverne. Second, we want to thank the community of Luverne for your outstanding support of our music programs at the high school and middle school. The Winter Music Carnival on January 21 was a great success. We have been amazed every year by the overwhelming turnout for the event. The Luverne Music Boosters are second to none in their work to support our groups and Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Goheen, and Mr. Eastman give the Boosters an incredible amount of thanks for putting the carnival together, and to the community for your support.Third, by this time all should be aware the Luverne High School Concert Band under the direction of Mr. Dale Nelson will be performing on Friday, Feb. 17, in Minneapolis for the Minnesota Music Educators’ Convention (announced in the Nov. 23 Star Herald). This is an honor bestowed upon only four high school bands from the entire state! We strongly encourage and invite everyone from the community to make the trip to Minneapolis for the 2 p.m. concert at the Minneapolis Convention Center. We have the extreme pleasure of observing rehearsals while the band prepares. Your students are currently playing at a level very seldom seen or heard from high school students. The musicianship is of high quality and the music of utmost difficulty – a difficulty rivaling many college bands. The band is truly a product of hard work and dedication. If you are unable to attend the Feb. 17 concert, the band will also be giving a matinee concert at 2 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 12, at the high school. Your supportive attendance would be very much appreciated. Thank you again for all you show toward your music students.Kyle Eastman, Luverne High School/Middle School Choir DirectorMary Goheen, Luverne Middle School Band Director

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne boys’ basketball team dropped its fourth game of the season after posting a pair of victories over the weekend.The Cardinals bested Redwood Valley by eight points in Luverne Friday before besting West Central by five points in Hartford, S.D., Saturday. State-ranked Russell-Tyler-Ruthton ended Luverne’s run of four straight wins by toppling the Cards by 13 points in Tyler Tuesday.Luverne, 14-4 overall, hosts Windom for a key section game Friday. The Cards play Central Lyon in Rock Rapids, Iowa, Tuesday.R-T-R 63, Luverne 50The Cardinals were in position to knock off the Knights before succumbing to the two-time defending state champions in Tyler Tuesday.With Derek Boeve netting all 15 of his points in the first half to lead the way, Luverne sported a 26-24 advantage over R-T-R at the intermission.R-T-R, however, rallied to outscore LHS 39-24 in the second half to win by 13."We were able to slow things down in the first half with our zone defense and controlling the tempo on offense. They adjusted to our zone in the second half, and we didn’t make enough shots to stay with them," said LHS coach Tom Rops.Marc Boelman netted 11 points for LHS. Nick Heronimus and Tim Miller snared four rebounds each.Box scoreMiller 1 0 0-0 2, Ward 1 0 0-0 2, Boelman 4 0 3-5 11, Hendricks 3 0 0-0 6, Boeve 2 2 5-5 15, DeBoer 1 0 1-2 3, Heronimus 2 1 0-0 7, Haakenson 0 0 1-2 1, Uphoff 0 0 2-2 2, Sawtelle 0 0 2-2 2.Team statisticsLuverne: 17 of 61 field goals (28 percent), 15 of 18 free throws (83 percent), 22 rebounds, three turnovers.R-T-R: 24 of 54 field goals (44 percent), 15 of 19 free throws (78 percent), 32 rebounds, seven turnovers.Luverne 54, WC 49Some clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch carried the Cardinals to their fourth straight win Saturday in Hartford, S.D.After struggling from the stripe (seven of 23) in the first three quarters of play, Luverne canned eight of nine charity shots in the final eight minutes of play to secure a five-point victory.The game was tight most of the way with LHS sporting 14-10, 24-23 and 38-36 at the first three quarter breaks.With Heronimus sinking six straight free throws and Jake Hendricks making two of three in the fourth quarter, the Cards outscored the hosts 16-13 in the final eight minutes to help lock up the victory."We really played an up-and-down game," said LHS coach Rops. "It was nice to see Nick and Jake step up in the fourth quarter and make some free throws when we needed them most."Boeve led the Cards with 17 points in the game. Hendricks scored 14 points and passed for three assists. Heronimus scored 10 points and latched onto eight rebounds.Box scoreBoelman 2 0 1-6 5, Miller 1 2 0-3 8, Hendricks 3 1 5-7 14, Boeve 4 2 3-7 17, Heronimus 2 0 6-8 10, DeBoer 0 0 0-2 0.Team statisticsLuverne: 17 of 49 field goals (35 percent), 15 of 33 free throws (45 percent), 23 rebounds, 16 turnovers.WC: 21 of 66 field goals (32 percent), three of four free throws (75 percent), 27 rebounds, 10 turnovers.Luverne 60, RWV 52The Cardinals overcame some tense moments late in the game to sweep the season series with Redwood Valley Friday in Luverne.After LHS opened a 37-22 lead when Boeve drained a three-point shot with 13:22 remaining in the second half, the Cards found themselves in a fight when RWV went on a 26-13 run to trail by two points (50-48) with 3:34 left to play.Hendricks stemmed the tide by converting a three-point play to make it a 53-48 game with 2:46 left, and the Cards received three free throws from Hendricks and two each from Boeve and Heronimus in the final minutes to win by eight.Both teams put together surges during a competitive first half.After falling behind early, the Cards led 13-5 when Jake Clark converted a free throw at the 12:48 mark.RWV trimmed the difference to three points (20-17) with 6:29 left to play before Luverne ended the half with a 6-0 spurt that ended with Heronimus converting a field goal with 26 seconds remaining to give the hosts a 26-17 cushion.Heronimus scored 11 first-half points and led the Cards with 17 counters. Boelman scored 15 points, pulled down seven rebounds and charted three assists. Hendricks and Boeve chipped in 14 and 10 points respectively.Box scoreHaakenson 0 0 0-0 0, Boelman 7 0 1-2 15, Miller 0 1 0-0 3, Hendricks 2 2 4-5 14, Clark 0 0 1-2 1, Boeve 2 1 3-9 10, DeBoer 0 0 0-0 0, Heronimus 6 0 5-9 17.Team statisticsLuverne: 21 of 44 field goals (48 percent), 14 of 27 free throws (52 percent), 19 rebounds, 10 turnovers.RWV: 21 of 59 field goals (36 percent), eight of 13 free throws (62 percent), 23 rebounds, nine turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian wrestling team upped its record to 27-7 after posting three wins at a pair of events.The Dragons pulled out a three-point win in Wabasso Friday before besting a pair of foes at the Redwood Valley Triangular in Redwood Falls Tuesday.Adrian completes the regular season with a match in Pipestone tonight before opening the Section 3A Team Tournament in Worthington Tuesday.RWV triangularThe Dragons emerged as the lone undefeated team of Tuesday’s triangular in Redwood Falls.Adrian topped RWV 52-21 before securing a 36-25 win over Tracy-Milroy-Balaton.Tony Thier, Brandon Bullerman, Andy Heitkamp, Zach Reker, Nate Engelkes, Cody Reverts and Will Lutmer all went 2-0 for the Dragons, while Brock Bullerman was 1-0.Matt Gades and Stephen Loosbrock went 1-1 for AHS. Jordan Bullerman, Tyler Sieve and Luke Tiesler went 0-1. Jordan Reker, Shea Klooster and Clint Metz went 0-3.Match wrap-upsAdrian 36, T-M-B 25103 (A) Bk.Bullerman3-1 Campbell.112 (T) Thao 11-6 Tiesler.119 (T) Prarie pins Loosbrock.125 (T) Cooreman 6-1 Gades.130 (A) Thier 4-3 Evans.135 (A) Bd.Bullermant.f Cooreman.140 (A) Heitkamp 6-2 Hebig.145 (A) Z.Reker pins Dieter.152 (T) Nelson 5-0 J.Reker.160 (T) Prarie pins Klooster.171 (T) Carlson 11-3 Metz.189 (A) Engelkes pins Lanners.215 (A) Reverts 13-2 Bauer.275 (A) Lutmer pins Jacob.Adrian52, RWV 21103 (R) Sweetmanpins Jd.Bullerman.112 (A) Loosbrock by forfeit.119 (R) King pins Sieve.125 (A) Gades by forfeit.130 (A) Thier by forfeit.135 (A) Bd.Bullerman pins Harazin.140 (A) Heitkamp 13-5 Schiller.145 (A) Z.Reker by forfeit.152 (R) Myers 6-2 J.Reker.160 (R) Potter 6-2 Metz.171 (R) Anderson 9-3 Klooster.189 (A) Engelkes pins Okins.215 (A) Reverts pins Vermillion.275 (A) Lutmer by forfeit.Adrian 34, Minneota 31The Dragons erased a 13-point deficit late in the match to nip the Vikings by three points Friday in Minneota.With the score tied at 18 after the 145-pound match, Minneota registered three straight wins to gain a 31-18 advantage heading into the 189-pound tilt.Adrian’s Nate Engelkes secured a 9-6 decision win over Wade Eischens at 189 before Cody Reverts and Will Lutmer received forfeits at 215 and heavyweight to complete the comeback.Minneota led 18-3 after the first five matches of the contest. Adrian’s win came from Stephen Loosbrock, who secured a 5-3 decision victory over Jordan Bottelberghe at 112.The Dragons tied the match at 18 with pins from Tony Thier (2:11 over Andrew Bradke) and Brandon Bullerman (27 seconds over Jordan Kimpe) at 125 and 140 respectively, and Andy Heitkamp’s 3-2 victory over Craig Peterson at 145.Match wrap-up103 (M) Derynck 6-2 Bk.Bullerman.112 (A) Loosbrock5-3 Bottleberghe.119 (M) Longtin pins Croat.125 (M) Buettel pins Polzine.130 (M) Skillings 7-2 Gades.135 (A) Thier pins Bradke.140 (A) Bd.Bullerman pins Kimpe.145 (A) Heitkamp 3-2 Peterson.152 (M) Buysse 7-1 J.Reker.160 (M) Peterson pins Metz.171 (M) Hammer 14-6 Wagner.189 (A) Engelkes 9-6 Eischens.215 (A) Reverts by forfeit.275 (A) Lutmer by forfeit.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne gymnastics team picked up a pair of victories at different venues.Luverne secured a four-plus point win in St. James Tuesday after besting Marshall by three-plus points in Luverne Tuesday.The Cardinals attempt to post their fifth straight victory when they host Martin County West tonight.Luverne 128.175, SJ 123.55The Cardinals had little trouble in besting the Saints during Tuesday’s meet in St. James.Luverne athletes won three of four individual titles during the meet to lead the way to a four-plus point victory.Courtney Fodness had a big night for the Cards. Along with placing second on the bars (7.65) and fourth on the vault (8.7), Fodness won the beam (8.275) and all-around (32.925) titles.Victoria Arends and Brittany Mulder also won events for LHS.Arends, who placed third on the vault and fourth on the floor with respective 8.875 and 8.4 tallies, took top honors on the bars with a 7.75. Mulder, who placed second on the vault, third on the bars and fourth on the beam with 8.95, 7.4 and 7.1 efforts, won the floor title with an 8.65.Luverne’s Morgan Bosshart finished second on the vault and third on the floor with scores of 8.6 and 8.475. Brittany Sandager turned in a third-place effort on the beam with her 7.4Individual resultsVault: Mulder, 8.95; Arends, 8.875; Fodness, 8.7; Bosshart, 8.6; LaRae Kor, 8.075.Bars: Arends, 7.775; Fodness, 7.65; Mulder, 7.4; Bosshart, 6.75; Krista Van Dyk, 5.8.Beam: Fodness, 8.275; Sandager, 7.4; Mulder, 7.1; Van Dyk, 6.85; Arends, 6.55.Floor: Mulder, 8.65; Bosshart, 8.475; Arends, 8.4; Fodness, 8.3; Sandager, 7.6.Luverne 131.175, Marshall 127.5The Cardinals broke even (3-3) in Southwest Conference competition for the season by defeating the Tigers by three-plus points in Luverne Thursday.Luverne athletes won two of four individual events during the evening to highlight the win.Fodness took top honors on the bars with an 8.15.Arends and Mulder shared the vault title by recording 8.8s.Mulder also finished second on the floor (8.9), fourth on the beam (8.0) and second all-around (33.025). Arends placed fourth on the bars and floor with respective 7.55 and 8.5 tallies.Luverne’s Bosshart placed third on the floor and vault with 8.7 and 8.75 tallies.Marshall’s Amy Daniels, the all-around champion with 35.45 points, won the floor and beam with 9.5 and 9.55 efforts.Individual resultsBars: Fodness, 8.15; Arends, 7.55; Bosshart, 7.5; Mulder, 7.5; Krista Van Dyk 6.1.Beam: Mulder, 8.0; Fodness, 7.875; Brittany Sandager, 7.8; Bosshart, 7.15; Van Dyk, 7.1.Floor: Mulder, 8.9; Bosshart, 8.7; Arends, 8.5; Fodness, 8.35; Sandager, 7.1.Vault: Arends, 8.8; Mulder, 8.8; Bosshart, 8.75; Fodness, 8.65; LaRae Kor, 8.1.

By John RittenhouseA charged-up Parents’ Night Crowd at Ellsworth High School witnessed a historic performance Tuesday.Aaron Van Der Stoep, a 5-11 junior guard, established two individual school records during an incredible offensive effort.Van Der Stoep, who made 16 of 23 shots in the game, established EHS standards in three-point shots made and total points in a single game to lead the Panthers to an 89-57 victory over Hills-Beaver Creek.The junior sensation nailed 12 shots from behind the three-point arc and finished the game with 44 points.Connecting on 12 of 19 three-pointers, Van Der Stoep surpassed the former school record of 10 threes made by Dale Lewis in 1998.His 44 total points eclipsed a school standard that was established 35 years ago, when Tom Nolte pumped in 41 points in a single game in 1971.With Van Der Stoep leading the way, EHS rolled to its 20th win of the season.The hot-shooting guard sank eight three-pointers and scored 30 points to help the Panthers open a 55-17 halftime lead.Van Der Stoep struck for 14 more points in the second half, when EHS led by as many as 45 points before settling for a 32-point victory.Cody Schilling recorded a triple-double by scoring 21 points, snaring 14 rebounds and charting 11 assists for the 20-2 Panthers, who play in Flandreau, S.D., Friday before hosting George-Little Rock Tuesday.Aaron Esselink scored 19 points and pulled down nine rebounds for H-BC. Cody Rozeboom added five rebounds for the 1-19 Patriots who host Southwest Star Concept tonight before playing at Southwest Christian Tuesday.Box scoreH-BCVan Wyhe 0 0 4-4 4, Reid 0 0 0-0 0, Rozeboom 1 0 7-11 9, Fink 0 0 0-0 0, Scholten 1 1 3-4 8, Van Batavia 0 0 1-2 1, DeBoer 1 0 2-2 4, Hup 4 0 0-2 8, Sandbulte 2 0 0-0 4, Esselink 7 0 5-6 19.EllsworthNolte 0 0 0-0 0, DeBerg 0 0 0-0 0, Deutsch 0 1 0-0 3, Kramer 4 0 0-0 8, Schilling 7 1 4-4 21, Van Der Stoep 4 12 0-0 44, Herman 1 0 0-0 2, Klaassen 0 0 0-0 0, Chapa 3 0 0-0 6, Lindemann 0 0 0-0 0, Kix 0 0 0-0 0, Golombiecki 0 1 0-0 3, Jansma 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 17 of 54 field goals (31 percent), 22 of 31 free throws (71 percent), 23 rebounds, 23 turnovers.Ellsworth: 35 of 63 field goals (56 percent), four of four free throws (100 percent), 29 rebounds, 13 turnovers.