It’s easy to relate to one of the many convicted criminals in California. Under the state’s "three strikes" law, Santos Reyes has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for lying on his driver’s license application. Unlike many of us, he didn’t falsify his weight — he tried to use his cousin’s name instead of his own. Weights tend to be a murky area on driver’s licenses. It’s no coincidence that when reports go out over the television about criminals-at-large their descriptions usually are "six-foot-one, 180 pounds." How is it that hardened criminals, unable to make wise choices throughout their lives, should all have ideal weights? Could they possibly be lying? Except for age and height, all other facts on driver’s licenses can be matters of fiction and creativity. Age and height are the only statistics that can’t be easily altered with colored contact lenses, hair dye or slenderizing vertical stripes in a person’s wardrobe. The weight listed on my original driving learner’s permit in 1957 was 130 pounds and it hasn’t changed. Although many years have gone by since then, my weight has miraculously stayed the same through childbirths, countless holiday dinners and my own per capita consumption of 3.5 cheesecakes. Changing the weight listed on a driver’s license to what it should be is a low priority on my list of things to do. Arguably, the world has already seen too many changes. One of the criteria for hiring people in the driver’s license bureaus appears to be the ability to keep a straight face when told blatant lies about body weights. Actually, the driver’s license employees seem considerably less concerned with true body weights than the airlines people. Even though 61 percent of Americans are overweight and 26 percent are classified as obese, airplane seats are getting narrower. Southwest Airline’s coach seats, for example, measure 17 1/4 inches wide, according to USA Today. Most airlines are requiring people over 300 pounds to purchase two seats. The obvious question is how they will determine how much each of us weighs. Are they going to check our driver’s licenses, are they going to take our word for it, or are they going to use scales? A worst case scenario would have us trying to unsuccessfully wedge into a seat, only having to be pried out with a crowbar and escorted off the plane. Perhaps the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) people will do the weighing. After all, they already have us stripping down to the bare essentials in front of complete strangers. They already have us at their mercy. "Hey, Pete! Got one here that needs weighing! He’s a big one!" Another shout. "OK. Send him on through." A respectful, yet fearful, hush descends upon the other passengers waiting in line." Step on the scale, sir." "Is he too heavy?" "Lessee. Yup. This is definitely a two-seater! Would you believe 310 pounds?" If the current seat-narrowing trend continues on the airlines, the only people able to fly in our country will be passengers with eating disorders or a few unfortunates, who are unable to gain weight because of their high metabolic rates. The good news about the airlines’ 300-pound limit is that several of them will be offering second seats at children’s prices or with double frequent flyer miles. Of course, those perks might only be available after they’ve gone through the embarrassing business of prying us from our seats with crowbars.

WANTED: All former band members to form an alumni marching band for the upcoming all-school reunion parade.REWARD: The joy of marching once again down Luverne’s Main Street to the roar of an appreciative crowd.EXCUSES WHY I CAN’T:1. I don’t have an instrument.2. I forgot how to play.3. I can’t read music.4. I don’t have time to practice.None of these excuses kept you from being in band when you were in high school, and they shouldn’t now!Come back and renew old friendships and see how the directors Tom Haugen and Dale Nelson have kept their youthful appearances despite being a combined 217 years of age.Tom believes that he will have the largest number of former students in attendance because of their dedication to the band program.Dale knows that he will have the larger number of former students because he will be offering a greater incentive — free donuts.We look forward to seeing you this summer. Tom Haugen, Dale Nelson, Alumni Band Directors

I am writing this letter to share my feelings about a person who has had a tremendous impact on my life. I could say my parents, family, friends and even my teachers and I would be correct in saying that they have all influenced my life greatly, but this person truly has been the key figure in who I have become today.I, like most people, have suffered many fears, anxieties and feelings of self pity and depression. Four years ago at a very low point in my life this person sat down with me and suggested medical help.I took this message to heart and sought help through prescribed medication. At that point my mind and body were healed but I knew that there was still something missing. Three weeks ago that final piece of the puzzle was given to me through a thoughtless action on my part. My life has changed so greatly that it is impossible to describe the feeling of peace I have come to know. Four years ago my body was healed, three weeks ago my spirit was healed. The person’s name who has helped so much is Gary Fisher, and the only way I could come close to thanking him would be to do it publicly. Thank you, Gary, for the part you have played in bringing me to this place in my life, and I know that my family REALLY wants to thank you as well.Dale Nelson,Luverne

I wish I were a cop in the city of Luverne for one day. I’d park my unmarked patrol car on a side street like Spring St. and just sit and wait. In no time I’d have more tickets going out than the court could process in a week. My wife and I are in our 70’s and most of the time we are scared to death trying to cross the street, Main St., because who pays any attention to the crosswalks anymore? Last Thursday, I was half way across Main St. in my powered wheelchair. I waited until the street was free of auto traffic clear up to Loopy’s. I was just entering the westbound lane when out of the blue three young adults came flying down the street on motor scooters. Two went behind me and one fool cut around me in front. They knew they had scared me because I almost lost control of my chair. They passed on yelping and yelling their heads off. Real funny. I’d say eight out of 10 teenagers won’t stop for people in the crosswalks. At least on our part of town. Those that do are in a hurry most of the time and creep the cars forward. The people who always stop are the middle age people.A lot of seniors won’t stop either. As an example I was going to mail a letter the other day and I use the mail collection box in the driveway at the post office. I was almost to the box when an old lady got on my tail and kept blowing her horn. She revved up her Caddy and nearly hit my chair in her hurry to push me out of her way. I got upset and pulled my chair out of the way only to have her roll down her window and yell at me. Use the box in the lobby she yells at me. Ever try using that lift in the lobby? Half the time it won’t go up or come down. I believe it’s going to get worse before it gets better. Someone will have to get killed first. Yeah, I wish I was a cop for one day in Luverne.Then there are the farmers. They come through town with large tractors pulling two wagons full of grain. Traveling up Main St. wide open going to the elevator. Eighty thousand pounds of grain and machinery on the road, and all they have to stop that rig is two small brakes. They couldn’t stop if they had to. If they jammed on the binders, they’d upset the wagons and there would be grain all over the street. A semi tractor and trailer has 10 brakes to stop the same amount of weight. Is it going to take a death to stop the madness?Joe SimonsenLuverne

April 10-16 is National Library Week. Almost 5,000 people have and use their Rock County Community Library cards. Are you one of them? If you are, the Friends of the Library would like to have you support us by becoming a member.Last year the Friends of the Library donated $2,000 to purchase computers for the library. In the previous years, we have purchased books, audio-visual tapes, shelving, table and chairs for the Community Room, the Regional Author Collection, and sponsored children and adult programs. With the cuts in government funding and the increasing costs we all incur, the library’s budget is tight. With the funds received through our membership drive and book sale, we are able to help our library be one of the best in the area. Why not visit the library and become a member of Friends of the Library? You would not only be helping the library, but also those in our community who use our library every day. Dolly RemmeA Friends of the Library member

By John RittenhouseThe Adrian baseball team enjoyed a successful start to the season by routing Minneota 9-0 in Adrian Tuesday.AHS pitchers David Hoffer and John Archer tossed a combined seven-hit shutout to lead the team defensively.Freshman Glen Kruger drove in three runs with three hits at the plate, which includes a two-run homer in the third inning.It was the pitching efforts of Hoffer and Archer that commanded the attention of AHS coach Kevin Nowotny.Hoffer tossed four innings of three-hit, six-strikeout ball to pick up the win. Archer yielded four hits and fanned two batters while working two innings of relief."Our pitching was really solid," said AHS coach Nowotny. "That’s what really pleased me."Adrian scored two runs in the second, third and fifth innings before plating three runs in the sixth.Kruger singled and scored the first run in the second when Will Lutmer doubled. Brent Tjepkes singled home Lutmer.Levi Bullerman singled with two outs in the third before Kruger lifted a two-run homer over the right-field fence to make it 4-0 in the third.Cody Kontz was hit by a pitch in the fifth before scoring on Brandon Diekmann’s RBI single. Nick Weidert singled home Diekmann to give the hosts a 6-0 lead.Matt Meyer singled and scored the first run of the three-run sixth when Diekmann singled. Bullerman singled home Diekmann before scoring on an RBI single by Kruger.Diekmann, Bullerman and Tjepkes slapped two hits each for the Dragons, who host Jackson County Central today before traveling to Lamberton for the Red Rock Conference opener Tuesday.

By John RittenhouseThe Hills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth-Edgerton track team got its first taste of outdoor competition during the Cardinal Quadrangular in Luverne Tuesday.The Patriots recorded a combined three event victories and six second-place performances during the meet.Cody Scholten and Tyler Bush posted wins for the H-BC-E-E boys.Scholten cleared 6-0 in the high jump. Bush ran 800 meters in 2:06.96.The boys finished second in the 400-, 800- and 3,200-meter relays with respective 52.42, 1:35.64 and 9:14.41 times.John Sandbulte, Tyler Paulsen, Bush and Brent Kramer ran the 3,200. Jan Sommerling, Roger DeBoer, Jon Klaassen and Cody Schilling teamed up in the 400. Sommerling, Bush, Kale Wiertzema and Scholten joined forces in the 800.H-BC-E-E’s 1,600-meter relay consisting of Sommerling, Klaassen, Scholten and Schilling placed sixth in 4:01.97.The girls’ 3,200-meter relay team recorded a meet title with a time of 10:25.55. Amanda Tilstra, Ashley Bucher, Cassi Tilstra and Mya Mann formed the team.Cassi Tilstra placed second in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:27.88, and Rosie Lewis finished second in the shot put with a toss of 33-6.The 400-meter relay team of Lewis, Mulder, Mann and Cassi Tilstra finished second in 53.77.H-BC-E-E’s 800- and 1,600-meter relay finished fourth with respective 2:01.09 and 4:59.43 efforts.Lewis, Ashley Bucher, Brittany Helgeson and Kelly Mulder ran the 800. Jocelyn Bucher, Amanda Tilstra, Lewis and Tyra Hinrichs teamed up in the 1,600.The H-BC-E-E squads compete at the Central Lyon Relays Tuesday.Here is a look at the rest of H-BC-E-E’s individual efforts at the Cardinal Quadrangular.H-BC-E-E boysThird place: Sandbulte, 300 hurdles, 46.49.Fourth place: Schilling, high jump, 5-6; triple jump, Sandbulte, 35-6 1/4; DeBoer, 110 hurdles, 18.42.Fifth place: Schilling, triple jump, 35-5 3/4; Klaassen, 100, 12.25; Wiertzema, 800, 2:18.5.Sixth place: Derek Haak, 800, 2:19.01; Sandbulte, 3,200, 12:51.69.Seventh place: Klaassen, shot, 34-6; DeBoer, 300 hurdles, 52.41.Eighth place: DeBoer, high jump, 5-4.H-BC-E-E girlsThird place: Mulder, shot, 29-3; J.Bucher, 1,600, 6:08; Mann, 800, 2:35.39.Fourth place: Lewis, discus, 87-5; A.Tilstra, 1,600, 6:09.Fifth place: Cassandra Duncan, high jump, 4-6; A.Bucher, triple jump, 29-5 1/2; Rayna Sandoval, 400, 1:10.49.Sixth place: A.Tilstra, triple jump, 29-5; A.Bucher, 800, 2:44.44.Seventh place: J.Bucher, 300 hurdles, 56.59; Sandoval, 800, 2:47.83.Eighth place: Mulder, discus, 80-11.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne girls track team secured four event titles during the annual Cardinal Quadrangular in Luverne Tuesday.Perfect weather with little wind and warm temperatures greeted the athletes for the outdoor opener for LHS.Luverne took advantage of the situation by winning four events and placing second in five events during the meet.Erin Hoiland, Maggie Kuhlman, Lexi Heitkamp and Katie Schneiderman all won individual events for LHS.Heitkamp ran 800 meters in 2:33.99 and Schneiderman covered 3,200 meters in 14:22 to produce their wins.Kuhlman cleared the 300-meters in 50.42 for her win, while Hoiland registered the winning distance of 14-8 in the long jump.Heitkamp, Victoria Arends, Kayla Raddle and Brittany Mulder placed second in individual events for LHS.Heitkamp cleared 5-0 on the high jump, Arends placed second in the 100- and 300-meter hurdles with respective 17.4 and 50.47, Raddle ran 1,600 meters in 6.02 and Mulder cleared 7-0 in the pole vault.Luverne placed second in the 800-meter relay with a time of 1:56.47. Mulder, Abby Elbers, Morgan Bosshart and Nicole Willers formed the team.The Cardinals placed third in the 400-, 1,600- and 3,200-meter relays with respective 54.6, 4:42.9 and 10:48.63 efforts.Cassie Pap, Willers, Bosshat and Hoiland ran the 400. Heitkamp, Tara Muck, Raddle and Kelsey Dooyema teamed up in the 1,600. Amanda Kannas, Dooyema, Raddle and Heitkamp joined forces in the 3,200.Luverne will compete at the Brandon Valley (S.D.) Relays Saturday before hosting the Cardinal Relays Tuesday.Here is a look at the rest of Luverne’s individual results during the Cardinal Quadrangular.Third place: Hoiland, 100, 13.63.Fourth place: Kuhlman, high jump, 4-8; Pap, long jump, 14-1 1/2; Kuhlman, 100 hurdles, 17.73; Stephanie Hendricks, 100, 13.79; Mulder, 200, 28.82.Fifth place: Jessica Willers, 100 hurdles, 18.72; Schniederman, pole vault, 6-6; J.Willers, 300 hurdles, 55.97.Sixth place: LaRae Kor, discus, 82-11; Amy Herman, 100, 14.23; Kannas, 1,600, 6:19; Jenny Broomfield, pole vault, 6-6; Rachel Nath, 300 hurdles, 56.06.Seventh place: Natalie Willers, discus, 81-8; Kannas, high jump, 4-4; Pap, triple jump, 29-4 1/4; Kor, shot, 28-3; Muck, 400, 1:14.47; Elbers, 200, 29.29.Eighth place: Raddle, high jump, 4-4; Kuhlman, triple jump, 29-3; Elbers, long jump, 13-3; Alyssa Stegenga, 100, 14.33; Brittney Schmuck, 400, 1:15.1.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Cardinals opened the 2005 baseball season by dropping a 5-4 decision to Tracy-Milroy-Balaton in Tracy Tuesday.Luverne surrendered three runs in the first three innings of the game and was unable to overcome the early deficit.According to LHS coach Mike Wenninger, the game was a typical opener with a lot of mistakes."We gave a lot of things away," he said. "Hopefully, the mistakes are fixable."The Cardinals dug themselves a 3-0 hole before plating an unearned run in the top of the fourth inning.Senior Jared Pick singled and moved to third when Zach Wysong singled. Wysong ended up getting involved in a run-down between first and second base, opening the door for Pick to race home with the team’s first run of the season.T-M-B answered the challenge by scoring once in the bottom of the fourth to make it a 4-1 game, but the Cards scored twice in the top of the fifth to trim the difference to one run at 4-3.Singles by John Tofteland and Dustin Richters set the table for the Cards in the fifth. Tofteland scored when Nath bounced out to third base, but Richters was thrown out at third base as the play progressed. J.T. Bruynes reached base on an error, moved into scoring position when Pick singled and trotted home when Wysong delivered an RBI single.The Panthers scored once in the bottom of the fifth to increase their lead to 5-3 before Luverne capped the scoring by plating a counter in the sixth.Kelsey Petersen reached base on an error, moved to second on a fielder’s choice and scored the final run when Nath singled.Bruynes tossed the first two innings and took the loss after allowing one run. Brad Herman yielded three runs in the next two innings, and Wyatt Cote was charged with one run after tossing one-third of one frame. Pick pitched one and two-thirds scoreless innings.The 0-1 Cardinals host Windom for the Southwest Conference opener Tuesday.Box score AB R H BILundgren 2 0 0 0Bruynes 1 1 0 0Pick 4 1 2 0Wysong 4 0 2 1Herman 3 0 0 0Cote 3 0 1 0Graphenteen 2 0 0 0Petersen 1 1 0 0Tofteland 3 1 1 0Richters 3 0 1 0Nath 3 0 1 0