10 years ago (1995)
Luverne’s new city administrator, Matt Hylen, plans to attend his first council meeting in late January and be on deck officially by Feb. 5. He comes to Luverne after working in Hector.
New holiday business hours are in effect this week. Stores are open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and until 9 p.m. Thursday. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 25 years ago (1980)
High schools are preparing for their Christmas concerts. Luverne High School is going to try the full version of Handel’s "Messiah."
There is a petition underway to challenge the cable television ordinance that awards a 15-year cable TV contract to Zylstra Communications. Zylstra is charging more for basic cable in Luverne than it is in Worthington.50 years ago (1955)
The polio vaccine is now available for anyone ages 9 to 19.
Luverne’s public ice skating rink will officially open Saturday, with the rink expected to be in top condition for local skaters.
Christmas shopping is expected to reach its peak this weekend in Luverne. Late shoppers are reminded that hours are extended each evening until 9 p.m.75 years ago (1930)
In conformity with the special order issued by Judge C. T. Howard, more than 400 gallons of moonshine, alcohol, whiskey, home brew beer, vile and near intoxicants were disposed of by Sheriff H.R. Ohs and his assistants. A large crowd of the curious assembled at the county jail to witness the loading of the contraband goods and followed the load to the city dump grounds, where the destruction of the liquids and paraphernalia used in their production, was made as complete and thorough as anyone could desire. Sheriff Ohs had collected the loads over four years of raids.100 years ago (1905)
A tariff duty of 10 percent on hides was put into the Dingley bill at the behest of western congressmen on the plea that it was demanded by western farmers. As a matter of fact, however, the demand for it came from the packers who get fully 90 percent of the hides at the price of cattle on foot.
The Royal Neighbors, Blue Mound camp No. 224, celebrated the tenth anniversary of the organization with a big card party in their ball. Progressive 500 was played with eighteen tables. Ed. Buckley won first prize and D.B. Jones the booby prize.

By Sara QuamSenior citizens have requested more time or programming at the Rock County Pool and Fitness Center. Saying that a lot of time is available now to seniors, managers Sam Honnerman and Robyn Wessels showed Pool Commission members Tuesday a schedule of the facility.Wessels said, "We realize that a lot of our attendance and members are seniors.""Aqua aerobics" is a mostly senior-focused class and is from 8 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, when people other than seniors often work."Body in motion" classes are from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday and Wednesday. The managers said many hours of lap swim are patronized mostly by seniors during the day, even though they aren’t designated as "senior" times in the pool."Senior swims" are from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturdays.In other business Tuesday, the commission:
Discussed an athletic competition to encourage members to stay active in the new year.If it happens, the competition would involve weekly prizes and would encourage people to try different types of exercises. Bikers could walk or runners could swim, for example.Commission member Kraig Rust said he hoped it would keep people from becoming bored with their routines. The competition may be men vs. women.
Got a report from management that the first six months of participation in the insurance reimbursement program for members has been successful.Blue Cross Blue Shield is the only participating insurer this year, but through the program, 51 new members joined the facility.Through the program, Blue Cross pays for the membership of people who use the facility eight times a month.There are 138 members who take part in the program.

By Lori EhdeThe local holiday charity program, SHARE, wrapped up its annual gift distribution last week, and organizers say they reached more families than ever this year.Sharing Hearts Are Reaching Everyone matches local donations of gifts and money with families who have applied for help with specific needs.Cheryl Cox, one of the SHARE volunteers, said 35 more families — a total of 73 more individuals — sought help from the program this year."I think that cold weather hit families hard this year," Cox said."It was terribly, terribly cold that week their forms were due back, and part of our budget crunch was all the new coats we bought."Those who fill out forms for SHARE help are able to list specific needs, and coats were popular — even more so than toys and gifts, Cox said."If a coat was listed, we figured there was probably a need," she said. In 2004, SHARE helped 150 families, which included 222 adults and 220 children. This year, 185 families participated, including 262 adults and 253 children.The good news is that increased demand shows that SHARE is reaching people who need it, Cox said. "All recipients seem to have a genuine need for the program," Cox said.The bad news is that funds are now much lower than they should be to adequately fund next year’s SHARE drive.In other words monetary donations are needed now to fund next year’s purchases. SHARE isn’t the only local organization seeing increased demand this year.Family Services Director Randy Ehlers, for example, said there are 41 more individuals using county services now (641) than in January of this year (600).While that isn’t a big enough difference to make sweeping assumptions, Ehlers said local families are seeing more strains on their budgets, particularly with higher fuel prices."Gas prices have an impact on our fixed-income people," Ehlers said.Natural gas prices are expected to hold at 40 to 50 percent higher than last year, taking a markedly bigger chunk out of household budgets.Doug Mead coordinates the energy assistance program for the Southwest Minnesota Opportunity Council. "We’ve noticed that we’ve sent out more applications to people this year," he said, "and I believe that after people get their December heating bills, we’ll get a lot more inquiries."The Rock County Emergency Food Shelf has also reported increased use this fall, heading into winter. "It’s not a great increase yet, but people are saying they can’t afford gasoline," said Food Shelf Volunteer Dorothy Dorn.The bottom line is that bottom lines for some segments of the community are in trouble, and that means more are leaning on SHARE, Food Shelf and other resources."I hope people don’t think that just because we met the need this year, that they don’t need to give to SHARE," Cox said. "We need help now more than ever, and we hate to say that because people have been asked to give and give to so many causes this year with the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina."

By Sara QuamThe county is waiting for changes in federal funding that could alter how Family Services does business.Rock County Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said the House and Senate both passed bills that "are hammering Human Services pretty hard."Because of the Iraq war and costs associated with the hurricanes, the federal government is planning cuts.The cuts that will hit Rock County Family Services will be most felt in the case management revenues, where the federal government pays the county for social workers assisting vulnerable children and adults.In 2004, that work earned Rock County $125,879, and has earned $91,698 through September of this year.Ehlers said federal mandates for programming will likely stay in place, even without the funds to back up the work the mandates require."Mandates are a good thing for the protection of our vulnerable citizens, but you can see the hole it puts in our budget," Ehlers said.Social workers’ case management areas include child welfare, mental health, vulnerable adult/developmental disability, developmental disabilities waivers and adult and elderly cases, which include home medical services.Also at risk are Medical Assistance reimbursement for chemical dependency and mental health treatment, administrative support for child support collection and food support benefits.Ehlers also reported that out-of-home placements are over budget by $127,000 so far this year. This item is difficult to forecast because one large family with children in placement can drastically change the budget for an entire year.Out-of-home placement includes treatment facilities and foster care for children who have to be taken from their homes for their own or their family’s well being.The budget for 2005 allowed for $250,848 to be spent on out-of-home placements, but through November the county spent $377,090.In other business Tuesday, Rock County Commissioners:
Accepted the retirement of Gerrit Kuipers, an assistant county engineer with the Rock County Highway Department. Kuipers has been with the department since 1986 and the board said it appreciated his effort and service to the county. The position will be advertised and filled.
Passed a maintenance agreement with the city of Luverne Public Works Department to take care of County State Aid streets within the city limits.The total annual payment depends on work done that the city will bill the county for in an itemized report. The amount cannot exceed $53,438.63.Commissioner Ron Boyenga voted against the motion to approve the agreement.The city will not be reimbursed for street sweeping for special functions, such as Tri-State Band Festival.The streets affected are all or portions of Main Street, Dodge, Blue Mound, Warren, Cedar, Donaldson, Edgehill, Barck, Luverne, Lincoln and 131st Street. Charges are based on labor, hours of equipment and materials used.The Luverne City Council also approved the agreement, which is a similar amount that was used in the past.The county gets money from state gas taxes that goes to the municipal streets, and if that fund isn’t used in a year, it goes into the highway construction fund.
Learned that Heartland Express received $400,000 for a new or remodeled bus garage and office space. The county will pay a $100,000 match to get the grant.The Building Committee will meet to find a location and work on plans.oLearned that prisoner medical care is costing the county more than ever. The county is $60,000 over budget, having spent a total of $173,000 as of September. That number includes prisoner board, medical care and transportation and travel.

By Lori EhdeThe city of Luverne Public Works Department tore down the small house on the corner of Lincoln and Cedar streets in Luverne Tuesday morning.The lot has since been graveled and will serve as a municipal parking lot for any public parking.The project is part of an anticipated Luverne Fire Hall expansion, and the property sale was negotiated by a Building Committee of the Luverne Fire Department.A purchase agreement was signed with family members of former lot owner John Krogmann on Sept. 27 and was later approved by the Luverne City Council via a budget amendment resolution at the Nov. 22 meeting.The $40,000 purchase price for the property included stipulations that
the city move the double garage to Krogmann’s farm property north of Luverne, for an additional $2,500 paid to the moving company.
Krogmann be allowed to salvage the front doors off the building before demolition.
the city pay for demolition and landfill costs. It took 12 tandem truck loads and cost about $500 in tipping fees.An architect has looked at the current structure to determine whether an expansion as tentatively planned is feasible. A new location is also being explored, but cost estimates are needed for all options.A new ladder truck has to be temporarily stored in the city’s electric department building because it doesn’t fit in the Fire Hall.The preliminary plans call for an addition to the west that would double the length of the building and bring it up to code.The addition of more bays will bring all the equipment inside one building and make everything easier to access for emergencies. The drive-through bays will mean fire department members won’t have to back out in every case.The addition of four bays leaves one open for the future growth of the department.Economic Development Director Jill Wolf is looking into grant opportunities for funding part of any Fire Hall project.Fire Chief Don Deutsch said he was pleased with the negotiation process and the end result.He said removal of the Krogmann house on that corner was necessary before any discussion of a fire hall expansion could continue.

By Sara QuamThe Howling Dog Saloon wanted to be open Christmas Eve, which falls on a Saturday this year.Manager Jodi Christy requested that she and other bars in the city of Luverne be able to serve alcohol after 8 p.m. The city ordinance specifies that establishments can’t serve past that time on Christmas Eve, although they may remain open.Christy said, "Being that Saturday is our busiest day of the weekend it hurts business. … And a lot of people don’t have family to celebrate with, or they celebrate on a night other than Christmas Eve."State law doesn’t restrict hours on nights that would be considered holidays, but the city ordinance does.Councilman Esther Frakes said, "I appreciate your position and that you came forward tonight, but personally, it’s one more step in a direction that I don’t think we should be going."Administrator John Call said, "I believe it would set a bad precedent to allow a bar to get a waiver on our current city ordinance."In other business the Luverne City Council:oApproved the purchase of a new garbage truck that will arrive in July. The truck has a larger cab, which is better for the operator, and has a 27-yard box rather than the current 24-yard box. The cost is $178,920 and was a budgeted purchase.oAgreed to pay $19,000 to the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce for promotion of various events and features of the community.The Chamber will promote the events/programs of Buffalo Days, Hot Dog Night, Border to Border Triathlon, Winterfest, Tri-State Band Festival, Luverne Home Show and Hometown Greeter. The Chamber will also promote public facilities and features of Blue Mounds State Park, Blue Mounds Biker/Hiking Trail and the Main Street Entrance Area.The Council said the city benefits from the Chamber’s efforts for economic health and growth.oRenewed on- and/or off-sale liquor licenses for Magnolia Lounge Bar and Steakhouse, Pamida, Pizza Hut, Shell Food Shop, Phillips 66 Pump ‘N Pack, Sharkee’s, Smokey Bears Pizza, American Legion, Casey’s, Eagles Club, Glen’s Food Center, Blue Mound Banquet and Meeting Center, Glen’s Food and Gas, Howling Dog Saloon, Korner Gas Stop and Luverne Lanes.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek girls couldn’t record their third straight victory when they entertained Edgerton for a Red Rock Conference basketball game Thursday.The Patriots played well to whittle what was a 16-point deficit down to five points in the second half, but the Flying Dutchmen withstood the challenge to notch a 62-55 victory.According to H-BC coach Jason Blosmo, the Patriots played with desire during the game. Their desire, however, wasn’t enough to overcome some scoring lulls that eventually settled the issue."The one thing we did do was play hard. We just couldn’t make up the difference when we had a couple of streaks of not scoring when we were being impatient on offense," Blosmo said.Edgerton started the game well and led by 16 points during the first half before H-BC trimmed the difference to 10 points (38-28) by halftime.The Patriots crept within five points of Edgerton in the second half, but that proved to be as close as H-BC would come to catching EHS.Blosmo said the Patriots did a good job of limiting their turnovers (14) during the game. He is looking for improvement in the rebounding and defensive areas of the game.Kerri Fransman led H-BC with 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals in the game.Stacy Bush chipped in 15 points and Chelsi Fink added 11. Brittany Helgeson and Amanda Tilstra collected six rebounds each. Helgeson charted four assists.Box scoreFransman 2 3 3-5 16, Bush 4 2 1-2 15, Tilstra 0 0 3-5 3, Fink 4 1 0-2 11, Roozenboom 3 0 2-3 8, Hoyme 1 0 0-0 2.Team statisticsH-BC: 20 of 57 field goals (35 percent), nine of 17 free throws (52 percent), 30 rebounds, 14 turnovers.Edgerton: 25 of 45 field goals (56 percent), 10 of 26 free throws (38 percent), 45 rebounds, 23 turnovers.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek boys opened the home portion of their 2005-06 basketball schedule by entertaining Edgerton Friday.Edgerton, a team expected to contend for the Red Rock Conference title, made a statement against the RRC’s two-time defending champions by besting H-BC 56-36.Cold shooting from the floor proved to be too big of an obstacle for H-BC to overcome.The Patriots were limited to 10 field goals in the game and 20-percent efficiency for the night.With H-BC unable to connect, Edgerton raced to a 28-12 halftime lead before outscoring the hosts 28-24 in the second half to win by 20.Aaron Esselink converted five of nine field goals and led the Patriots with 13 points.Cody Rozeboom, who led H-BC with four steals and three assists, registered a double-double by scoring 11 points and pulling down 12 rebounds.The 0-2 Patriots host Southwest Christian tonight before playing road games against Mountain Lake-Butterfield-Odin and Murray County Central Saturday and Tuesday respectively.Box scoreVan Wyhe 1 0 0-0 2, Rozeboom 2 0 7-9 11, Finke 1 0 2-4 4, Scholten 0 0 0-2 0, DeBoer 0 0 3-4 3, Hup 1 0 1-4 3, Sandbulte 0 0 0-0 0, Esselink 5 0 3-4 13.Team statisticsH-BC: 10 of 51 field goals (20 percent), 16 of 27 free throws (59 percent), 24 rebounds, 19 turnovers.Edgerton: 22 of 52 field goals (42 percent), 10 of 13 free throws (77 percent), 39 rebounds, 16 turnovers.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek School Board members approved a preliminary audit for the 2004-05 school year at their Monday meeting.The preliminary audit shows a $26,628 deficit for the year.Superintendent Dave Deragisch warned that the numbers can be misleading because, although on paper there is a deficit, the school managed to invest $200,000 in certificates of deposite during that time."The cuts that were made had little impact on the students but a huge impact on our budget," he said."Continued fiscal responsibility by the board and administration will be a must in future years."Following their annual Truth in Taxation meeting, Board members approved the maximum payable levy at $404,412.16 for 2006.Patriot Pride:
Elementary Principal Todd Holthaus presented the board with two certificates signed by the Governor and the Commissioner of Education in recognition of the elementary school receiving a five-star rating in both math and reading.The rating is based on math and reading test scores in third and fifth grades.For academic achievement in reading and math, schools receive three stars for meeting the requirement of adequate yearly progress as stated in the No Child Left Behind bill. Schools may receive additional stars, up to five, for performance above NCLB requirements.H-BC students taking the test during the 2004-2005 school year received high enough scores in math and reading to qualify for the five star rating.Holthaus said that of the 1893 schools in Minnesota, only 193 received five stars in math and 222 in reading.
A huge show of community support helped make this year’s elementary book fair a success.The book fair, which ran for two weeks, sold $3,400 in books, nearly $1,200 more than last year’s total.The book fair, sponsored by Scholastic Books, is an annual event coordinated by H-BC Elementary librarian Sara Oldre. A portion, roughly 40 percent, of the money earned is used to buy new books from Scholastic for the H-BC libraries.
Holthaus recognized the musical talents of sixth-grader Jacob Bos.Bos is a member of the Singing Boys of Sioux Falls. Holthaus attended the group’s Christmas concert last week and said he was "very proud" of Bos’ performance. No gift exchange at the elementary schoolHolthaus announced to the board that his students would not be exchanging gifts with one another this year. Instead, he is encouraging families to bring donations to the Rock County Emergency Food Shelf.In past years, classrooms have had gift exchanges during their classroom parties. This year the party and exchange will be replaced with a movie. The student body will watch a remake of the classic "Miracle on 34th Street."Holtaus also encourages families to give donations in honor of teachers instead of giving the teachers gifts.