By John RittenhouseHills-Beaver Creek senior Tyler Bush became the school’s fourth individual to win a title at the Minnesota State Class A Track and Field Championships Saturday in Blaine.Competing at the National Sports Center as the lone representative of the H-BC-Ellsworth-Edgerton program, Bush qualified for the finals of the 800-meter run for the fourth consecutive year on Friday before winning the state title on Saturday."It was awesome," said Bush about becoming H-BC’s latest state track champion."I just wanted to place better than I did last year, which was fourth. Going into the meet, I thought I had a chance (to win). When I won, I was really surprised by it."Winning the 800 crown capped a four-year stretch of Bush earning places in the event at the state meet.Bush placed eighth in the 800 as a freshman, fifth as a sophomore and fourth as a junior."Things fell right in place for him," said Patriot coach Tom Goehle, who credited Bush with running a strategically sound race."To win at the state level, things have to place for a runner because every race is different from one year to the next. Tyler wanted to go out and get the lead early, and he was able to hold it most of the way. He did fall behind for a while, but he was able to get it back with a strong finish."Bush qualified for the finals on Friday by running a 1:58.74, which was the fifth-best time recorded in a field of 17 runners.The way things turned out, his time on Friday actually was better than one he registered (1:58.77) during his championship run on Saturday.It was his strategy that led to success in the finals."I wanted to get the lead early, so I was looking at running the first 200 meters in 26 seconds. No one went out hard with me, so I got the lead (in the first 200 meters) and ran a 28 (seconds). Since I didn’t have to go out as hard as I thought, I had more left for the end of the race," Bush said.Bush was able to lead the race until the final 200 meters, when East Central’s Jake Carlson passed the Patriot to take a brief advantage. Bush, however, pulled even with Carlson with 70 meters remaining in the race and passed him with a late surge in the final 50 meters.The H-BC-E-E standout said having a lighter workload in Blaine helped him win his title.During his prior appearances at state, Bush ran with some relay teams along with competing in the 800. Since no H-BC-E-E relays qualified for state this year, he was able to concentrate on one event."I think that was a big factor. I wasn’t a part of a relay, so I only had to run in one race. My legs were fresh. When I’m able to stay off my legs, they are good," he said.Bush will run outdoor track and play basketball at Northwestern College (Orange City, Iowa) next year. He joins past H-BC athletes Chris Reid (a two-event winner in 2003), Brad Haak (2001) and Steve Esselink (1999) as state track individual champions."It’s nice to know you won that last race in a Patriot uniform," he concluded.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDSNotice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received by the City Council of Luverne, Rock County, Minnesota, at the Luverne City Hall, 203 E. Main St. P.O. Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0659 on Friday, the 8th of July 2005 at 10:00 A.M. for streetlight poles and fixtures for the Downtown Street Lighting project, at which time the bids shall be publicly opened and read aloud.Specifications, proposal forms and contract documents may be seen at the office of the City Clerk, City of Luverne, 203 E. Main St., Luverne, Minnesota 56156.Bids must be made on forms furnished by the City of Luverne and no alteration, addition, or variation will be permitted. Bids must be accompanied by bid security in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid. The City reserves the right to reject any or all proposals and to waive technicalities and irregularities and further reserves the right to award the contract for the best interest of the City in its sole option. Published upon order of the City Council of Luverne, Minnesota.(6-16)

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP AND APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of Keith G. Pederson, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 27th day of June, 2005, at 3:30 O’clock P.M. a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship and for the appointment of Tamara Wise whose address is 601 North McKenzie, Luverne, Minnesota 56156, as administrator of the estate of the above named decedent in supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said administrator will be appointed to administer the estate, to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, and sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the estate. Upon completion of the administration, the administrator shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereto entitled as ordered by the Court, and close the estate. Notice is further given that ALL CREDITORS having claims against said estate are required to present the same to said administrator or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: June 6, 2005 /s/ Timothy K. ConnellTimothy K. ConnellDistrict Court Judge/s/ Daniel W. Vis /s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikDaniel W. Vis Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507) 283-4828I.D. #271238(6-16)

ORDINANCE NO. 277, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF REAL ESTATE(Portion of Lot 4, Block 15, Warren & Kniss 2nd Addition—Blaine Radtke)THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE ORDAINS: SECTION 1. Pursuant to City Charter, Section 12.05, the City Council is authorized to sell or convey the following described real estate located in the City of Luverne, County of Rock, State of Minnesota described as follows, to-wit: The West 25 feet of the South 120 feet of Lot Four (4), Block Fifteen (15) in Warren & Kniss 2nd Addition to the City of Luverne. SEC. 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute such necessary and appropriate documents of conveyance. SEC. 3. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication.(6-16)

ORDINANCE NO. 276, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING SALE OF REAL ESTATE(Portions of Lot 4 & 5, Block 5, Auditor’s Subdivision—Gene Rosenberg)THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE ORDAINS:SECTION 1. Pursuant to City Charter, Section 12.05, the City Council is authorized to sell or convey the following described real estate located in the City of Luverne, County of Rock, State of Minnesota, described as follows, to-wit: All of Lot Four (4), except the North 13.2 feet thereof, and the North Ten (10) feet of Lot Five (5), all in Block Five (5) in Auditor’s Subdivision of Block Five (5) in Greenvale Addition to the City of Luverne.SEC. 2. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute such necessary and appropriate documents of conveyance.SEC. 3. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication.(6-16)

ORDINANCE NO. 275, THIRD SERIESAN EMERGENCY ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY DURING THE VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ADMINISTRATORTHE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUVERNE ORDAINS:PREAMBLE. Whereas, the office of City Administrator is an essential function of the City and the powers, duties, and responsibilities of said office are necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health, morals, safety, and welfare; and it is therefore essential that the duties of said office be assigned to adequately provide for the administration of the City; it is hereby declared that an emergency exists within the meaning of City Charter Section 4.04, Subd. 3, and the following ordinance shall be an emergency ordinance effective as provided for therein.SECTION 1. Purpose and Intent. It is the purpose of this ordinance to provide for the proper administration of the City while a vacancy exists within the office of City Administrator and that until such time as a new City Administrator is hired and assumes the duties of office as provided for by Charter and City Code, notwithstanding the provision of City Charter Sec. 3.02 or other contrary provisions of the Charter or City Code, the provisions of this ordinance shall prevail and govern the administration of the City.SEC. 2. The general administration of the City shall be governed by consensus of a Management Committee consisting of the City Clerk as Chair and Recording Secretary, the Finance Director, the Public Utilities Supervisor, and the Public Works Supervisor. The Mayor and Acting Mayor may attend any formal meetings of the Committee which must be held once per week and prior to all regular Council meetings. Any matter within the duties, responsibilities, or authority of the City Administrator pursuant to law, Charter, City Code, or City policy, may be conducted, dispatched, or ordered when the same is agreed to unanimously by the Management Committee. The Committee shall perform such other duties as are necessary to carry out the duties of Chief Administrative Office of the City. The Management Committee members shall attend all meetings of the Council unless excused. Under the Management Committee, each Department Head shall have the same general authorities, duties, and responsibilities as is provided for in City Code and in the past management practices of the City.SEC. 3. The Council shall exercise full supervisory and employment powers over members of the Management Committee. It shall be the duty and responsibility of the Mayor and Acting Mayor to report any improprieties to the City Council for consideration. SEC. 4. Notwithstanding the aforementioned delegation of duties, the following named officers shall have the respective duties, responsibilities, and authorities as herein noted. City Clerk. The City Clerk shall coordinate all requests and matters of the Management Committee; prepare, assemble, and distribute the Council agenda packet and related materials; issue licenses; function as City Clerk in all respects including, but not limited to Council minutes, ordinances and resolutions, document certification and attesting thereto, and execution of City contracts and agreements; approve travel requests, vacations and sick leaves, or other similar personnel requests which require approval of the City Administrator; and such other matters as are delegated by the Council or, within its authority, the Management Committee. Finance Director. The Finance Director shall prepare and submit budget amendments; advise the Council as to the financial condition of the City and enforcement of the budget; give approval of purchases and travel authorization for budgetary control purposes; and such other matters as are delegated by the Council or, within its authority, the Management Committee. All Department Heads shall negotiate and make such purchases as can be accomplished without competitive bidding and obtain estimates, quotations, sealed bids, or contracts in excess of said amounts subject to the approval of the Finance Director and for any purchases over $5,000, the approval of the Management Committee. Said Department Heads shall make such reports as may be requested by the Management Committee or City Council so as to keep said bodies fully informed as to the affairs of each department. SEC. 5. Council Authority. The Council may override any action of the Management Committee or City employees in exercising the duties, responsibilities, and authority assigned herein, provided the Committee or employee is first given an opportunity to explain the action and reasons for it. Until such override, the action shall be in full force and effect. SEC. 6. The Department Heads that typically report to the City Administrator will report for coordinating purposes, to the following individuals during the interim times between Management Committee meetings: Building/Zoning Official to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Econ. Development Director to Finance Director Barbara Berghorst Fire Chief to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Library Director to City Clerk Marianne Perkins Line Supervisor to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstPool Managers to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstCity Engineers to Finance Director Barbara BerghorstSafety and Risk Management – Finance Director Barbara BerghorstCommunity Relations – City Clerk Marianne PerkinsSec. 7. Pursuant to City Code, Sec. 2.05, Subd. 2, the following individuals shall be deemed to be the "Acting City Administrator" for purposes of ex-officio membership on the various boards and commissions: Airport Board – Public Works Supervisor Ken VosBoard of Appeals & Adjustments – Building/Zoning Official Dan Delgehausen Board of Building Appeals – Building/Zoning Official Dan Delgehausen Cable TV Advisory Board – City Clerk Marianne PerkinsEconomic Development Authority – Finance Director Barbara Berghorst Library Board – Library Director Glenda Bremer Pool Commission – Pool Supervisor Samantha Honerman Planning Commission – Building/Zoning Official Dan DelgehausenIn addition, the City Clerk shall provide such clerical and general staff support as may reasonably be needed for the duties of each board and commission.SEC. 8. In recognition of the additional time, duties, and responsibilities designated herein and during the effective period of this ordinance, the City Clerk shall receive additional compensation equal to 20 percent of base pay, the Finance Director 20 percent of base pay, Public Utilities supervisor 10 percent of base pay, and Public Works Supervisor 10 percent of base pay, retroactive to May 28, 2005. Management Committee meeting attendance by the Mayor and Acting Mayor shall be deemed to be an authorized special function for purposes of per diem payments.SEC. 9. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, and the City Clerk shall provide for its publication at the earliest possible time. This ordinance shall expire and its provisions shall be of no further effect upon the City Council’s appointment and the assuming of the duties of office and taking of the Oath of Office by the City Administrator; provided, however, that no action, taken under the provisions of this ordinance and during its effective period, shall be void but shall continue until the same is properly amended according to law, charter, City Code, or administrative rule.Andrew G. Steensma, MayorATTEST: Marianne Perkins, City Clerk(6-16)

MAY 26, 2005MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Thursday, May 26, 2005, at 7:30 p.m.The following members were present; Vicki Baartman, Colleen Deutsch, Laura Herman, Dan Kopp, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Cary Radisewitz and Bill Stegemann. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Mary Jacobson, Becky Runnoe, Jane Cote, Tim Christensen, Darren Olson, Jan Olson, Stacy Mente, Gayle Stegemann, Becky Gonnerman, Sheryl Staeffler, Melissa Fick, Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald, and Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Becky Walgrave. Superintendent Schaefer gave announcements including there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve the agenda with addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Tim Christensen, Darren Olson, and Jan Olson reviewed the science curriculum with the School Board. Superintendent Schaefer distributed copies of the kindergarten question responses. Business Manager Marlene Mann explained how the district arrived at the cost of $150 for the Kinder Plus program. When comparing it to the Discovery Time preschool program, Discovery Time costs $2.83 per hour and Kinder Plus will cost $2.30 per hour. It was also noted that the $150 per child will cover items such as staff salaries and benefits, supplies, and pro-rated buildings and grounds costs. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to approve the minutes of the May 9 and May 12, 2005, School Board meetings. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to pay the District bills as presented in the amount of $944,341.94. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Kopp, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of April 30, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Business Manager Marlene Mann reviewed the Blue Cross/Blue Shield proposed percentage increases. The insurance committee will be meeting to make final selection on which package the School District will use. Motion by Baartman, second by Herman, to table action on the Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance until the next meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the summer curriculum work schedule as presented: Family/Consumer Science - $200.00; Physical Education - $480.00; Health - $80.00; and Language Arts - $240.00. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to approve a summer contract with Dale Nelson in the amount of $5,398.00 for four weeks of Band. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve a summer contract with Dennis Moritz in the amount of $4,466.00 for four weeks of Agriculture. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve Special Education summer school services: Lucinda Rofshus – Elem Spec Ed – 64 hours - $2,021.00; Summer Speech for 64 hours; Deb Vander Kooi – Summer School nurse – 7 hours - $190.00; Shelley Krueger – EC:SE Summer Program – 85 hours - $1,672.00; Paula Lammert – MS/HS Special Education – 32 hours - $630.00; and management assistants that will be paid from the timecards at their usual hourly rate. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Herman, to approve the Science Education Curriculum Guide for General Instruction as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Baartman, to continue to offer student accident insurance through Student Assurance Services, Inc. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer informed the School Board they need to take action informing the voters of the School District of their intent to have a levy referendum election this fall on November 8. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to inform District voters of the intent to hold a levy referendum election on November 8. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Herman, to accept the retirement of Shirley Harrison, Kindergarten teacher, effective June, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Herman, second by Baartman, to accept the resignation of Tim Homan as MS Social Studies teacher and Head Wrestling coach effective June 2, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Baartman, to approve a medical leave of absence for Emily Matthiesen, MS Mathematics teacher, for the 2005-2006 school year. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to approve the resignation of Phyllis Schaefer, Kindergarten teacher, effective June 2, 2005. Motion unanimously carried. Committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed.Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: May 26, 2005Colleen Deutsch, Clerk(6-16)

Today I want to release my scientific findings on the "earthworm question." You may recall, I found three earthworms in my mailbox and questioned their capacity to crawl up the wood post and continue upside down on a smooth metal surface, around a sharp corner and into the box. After weeks of painstaking research, I came to the irrefutable conclusion the neighbor kids put the worms in the mailbox. I basically conducted one experiment. As I was digging in the garden one day, I unearthed a giant earthworm. Because of his substantial size, I assumed he was strong, aggressive and advanced in his thinking. I placed his body halfway on top of a four-foot wood railing. The other half of his body hung down over the side. I watched to see if Mr. Worm could heft himself up on top of the railing. It didn’t go well for him. He fell off into the grass and a few minutes later a robin snatched him up for a tasty snack. I felt kind of bad about that, but in the scheme of the universe, it’s not a national disaster. So that’s where we are on the earthworm situation. If anyone has scientific data to refute my findings, I would be willing to consider it. We have some fabulous new titles by your favorite authors on the shelf this week. "McKettrick’s Choice" by Linda Lael Miller. When news came that there was trouble back in Texas, Holt McKettrick left his mail-order bride at the altar and he never looked back. John Cavanagh, the buffalo soldier who raised Holt, is being forced off his land and his friend, Gabe, is about to be hanged. Riding hard, Holt reaches San Antonio just as Lorelei Fellows torches her wedding dress. Lorelei refuses to marry a sleazy lawyer and takes refuge on the tiny dilapidated ranch left to her by her mother. Intrigue, danger, and greed are up against integrity, kindness, and love in this engrossing western romance. "The Twelfth Card" by Jeffrey Deaver is a two-day cat-and-mouse chase through the streets of uptown Manhattan as detective Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs try to outguess Thompson Boyd — a nondescript, innocuous man, but one whose past has turned him into a killing machine. Boyd is after Geneva Settle, a high school girl from Harlem, and it's up to Lincoln and Amelia to figure out why. The motive may have to do with a term paper that Geneva is writing about her ancestor, Charles Singleton, a former slave. A teacher and farmer in New York State, Charles was active in the early civil rights movement but was arrested for theft and disgraced. Lincoln and Amelia work frantically to figure out where the hired gun will strike and stop him, all the while trying to determine what actually happened on that hot July night in 1868 when Charles Singleton was arrested. "One Shot" by Lee Child. Six shots. Five dead. One heartland city thrown into a state of terror. But within hours the cops have it solved: a slam-dunk case. Except for one thing. The accused man says, "You got the wrong guy." Then he says, "Get Jack Reacher for me" ... and the slam-dunk case explodes. Reacher is teamed with a young defense lawyer who is working against her D.A. father and dueling with a prosecution team that has an explosive secret of its own. Like most things Reacher has known in life, this case is a complex battlefield. But, as always, in battle, Reacher is at his best.

Fire Destroys Luverne BusinessThe following appeared in the Rock County Star-Herald on March 25, 1954. This fire was a $100,000 fire.Fire Destroys Luverne BusinessCause Said to Be Overloaded Power CircuitFire which destroyed a Main Street business structure housing five Luverne business establishments early Friday morning originated in a fuse box in the basement of the Rainbow Café. This was the decision of Ben F. Cords, Mankato, deputy state fire marshal, who conducted the investigation here Saturday together with Fire Chief Bill Busse and other members of the Luverne fire department. In reporting on his investigation, the deputy fire marshal stated that the "cause of the fire resulted from overloading of the electrical circuits of the existing system in the Rainbow Café."The building which was destroyed was owned by Carl Omodt, Luverne.Five Businesses AffectedHoused in it were three eating places, the Club Café, owned by C.D. White, the Rainbow Café, owned by H.J. Kadinger, and the Grill Café owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Peters and Maxine Peters. All were total losses, with the exception of some equipment that may be salvaged, losses to Pat’s Plumbing, owned by Orville Barclay, and Luverne Sheet Metal, were almost total. A brick wall, separating Pat’s Plumbing from United Cleaners which is also in the same building, prevented the fire from spreading there. However, water in the basement of the cleaning plant damaged electric motors there, and odor from the smoke necessitated having all the clothing in the plant deodorized. Mrs. Burton Knowlton, owner, found it necessary to suspend operations for several days as a result. Orville Barclay said yesterday that he and Orvin Birkeland have leased the former A & P location and Pat’s Plumbing and Luverne Sheet Metal would be open for business there in the near future. Owners of the three cafes have announced no definite plans as yet. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.