Somewhere along the way, we stopped making excuses. Coming up with the perfect excuse or alibi was once such a fine art that even author Arthur Huxley offered his opinion, "Several excuses are always less convincing than one." Instead of excuses or a simple "I’m sorry" we now have the non-excuse. It may sound like, "I just want to put this behind me and move ahead" or "I only want to put this behind me and get on with my life." Non-excuses have many variations, but they basically mean the same thing — take it or leave it, I refuse to be responsible for my own actions. Don’t expect an apology or an explanation. Non-excuses have been revealed from steps in the nation’s capitol, on brief stops between courthouses and jails or at press conferences. The most celebrated non-excusers in recent months have been politicians, professional athletes, Hollywood personalities and even the world’s most famous kitchen diva, Martha Stewart. When Stewart announced last September that she wanted to go to jail immediately to serve her five-month sentence for obstruction of justice, she added that she wanted "closure," "finality" and "to put this nightmare behind me." After interviewer Geraldo Rivera asked him about possible steroid misuse, baseball legend Barry Bonds responded, "I only want to get on with my life." Rapper Eminem offered a non-excuse three years ago when a Michigan court found him guilty of carrying a concealed weapon. "I just want to get it behind me," he told reporters after the trial, "and get back to spending time with my little girl and making music." Quite interestingly, he didn’t offer a non-excuse for his particular style of music. Convicted killer Charles Manson gave Rolling Stone magazine his own version of a non-excuse, "Past, get behind me. The Devil is in the past." In spite of his slightly different and creative wording, he remains imprisoned. A pattern of non-excuses is definitely developing in our country. When President Bush mentioned Iraq with European leaders recently, he urged them to "put this behind us." Non-excuses can happen to the best of us. Instead of groveling, humbling ourselves and begging for forgiveness, we project the appearances of winners. Taking a cue from HBO’s Tony Soprano we can do all sorts of wrong things and laugh, "Fuhgeddaboutit." Non-excuses possibly began when golfers started taking mulligans after bad tee-shots on golf courses. Casual do-overs became socially acceptable. It might have begun when both children and adults stopped saying, "I’m sorry." It wasn’t that long ago when children were expected to say, "I’m sorry," "please," "thank you," "May I please be excused from the table?" and "You look pretty today, Mama," if they hoped to reach adulthood. It’s a far stretch, but actress Ali McGraw might have started non-excuses in the 1970 movie, "Love Story," when she told Oliver (Ryan O’Neal), "Love means never having to say you’re sorry." If that’s the case when it comes to excuses or admissions of guilt, we’re a lovesick society. When non-excuses truly become mainstream, whether we burn a dinner in the oven, dent a car fender, run into debt or forget a birthday, we will only have to smile and say, "Let’s just put this behind us and get on with our lives."

NOTICE OF DELINQUENT TAXESState of Minnesota District CourtCounty of Rock 5th Judicial District TO: ALL PERSONS WITH A LEGAL INTEREST IN THE PARCELS OF REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN THE FOLLOWING DELINQUENT TAX LIST A list of real property in Rock County on which delinquent property taxes and penalties are due has been filed with the District Court Administrator of Rock County. This list is published to inform all persons that the listed property is subject to forfeiture because of delinquent taxes. The property owner, taxpayer, or other interested person must either pay the tax and penalty, plus interest and costs, or file a written objection with the district court administrator. The objection must be filed by April 13, 2005, stating the reason why the tax or penalty is not due on the property. If no objection is filed, a court judgment will be entered against the property for the unpaid tax, penalty, interest and costs. For property under court judgment, the period of redemption begins on May 9, 2005, and ends three to five years later, depending on the type of property and where it is located. The period of redemption means the time within which taxes must be paid to avoid losing the property through forfeiture. To avoid forfeiture, taxes on property located within a township must be paid by May 9, 2010. Taxes must also be paid by May 9, 2010, if the property is one of the following types in a city: (1) residential homestead, (2) farm homestead (3) private cabins, (4) resorts in operation for not more than 250 days a year, including resorts occupied by the owner. Payment of tax by May 9, 2008, is necessary to avoid forfeiture of any property in a city that is not described in the preceding sentence.To determine how much interest and costs must be added to pay the tax in full, contact the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office, Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown St., PO Box 509, Luverne, Minnesota 56156-0509. The telephone number is (507) 283-5060./s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikSandra VrtacnikDistrict Court Administrator5th Judicial DistrictDated: 2-1-2005AFFIDAVIT BY AUDITORState of Minnesota ss.County of RockGloria F. Rolfs, being duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the Auditor/Treasurer of the County of Rock; that she has examined the foregoing list and knows the contents thereof; and that the same is true and correct./s/ Gloria F. RolfsGloria F. RolfsSubscribed and sworn to before me this 3rd day of March, 2005./s/ Carol A. WeberNotary PublicLIST OF REAL PROPERTY for ROCK COUNTY, State of MinnesotaOn which taxes remain delinquent on the firstMonday in January, A.D. 2005Total Tax andName of Owner Description Year PenaltyTOWN OF BATTLE PLAINCalvin C. & Maryann 01-0113-000 SECT- 19 2003 301.84Morrison TWP- 104 RNG- 44 5 A 2004 298.68 LYING IN W855’ OF S1100’ OF SW1/4 ACRES 5.00TOWN OF BEAVER CREEKAleta Beverly Cynthia 02-0305-200 SECT- 35 2004 15.96Boland TWP-102 RNG-47 PART OF OUTLOT 5 & ALL OF OUTLOT 6 IN AUDITOR’S OUTLOTSACRES 1.07TOWN OF CLINTONMarilyn M. Blattner 03-0212-000 2004 31.92 VILLAGE OF ASHCREEK LOTS 1 THRU 3 BLOCK 2Marilyn Louise Sheehan 03-0216-000 2002 208.36 VILLAGE OF ASHCREEK 2003 199.24 LOTS 5 & 6 Block 4 2004 186.96Rudolph Winter 03-0222-000 2000 168.40 VILLAGE OF ASHCREEK 2001 181.60 KITTERMAN’S ADDITION 2004 230.28 SOUTH 177.3’ OF LOT 1 Darrell & Alberta Kremin 03-0223-000 2004 200.20O-Pauline J Heck VILLAGE OF ASHCREEK KITTERMAN’S ADDITION LOT 2TOWN OF DENVERSteven De Splinter 04-0028-000 SECT- 06 2002 623.80 TWP- 104 RNG-45 E380’ OF 2003 672.20S350’ OF N1613’ OF E1/2 2004 701.80 OF NE1/4 LESS .14 ACRES CSAH #11 (85) ACRES 3.05Z Craig & Christine M 04-0049-100 SECT- 03 2004 496.10Lovett TWP- 104 RNG- 45 31.46 A IN W53.2 RODS OF S96.12 RODS OF SW1/4INCLUDES RR R/W ACRES 31.46James Wm Broomfield 04-0143-000 SECT-29 2004 133.10 TWP- 104 RNG- 45 7.80 A BLDG SITE IN E640’ OF N546’ OF N1/2 OF NE1/4 ACRES 7.80Steven Gregory Smith 04-0169-000 SECT- 36 1999 199.20 TWP- 104 RNG- 45 S551’ 2000 347.44 OF E336’ OF SE1/4 2001 295.00 LESS .21 A CSAH #19 ACRES 4.25 TOWN OF MARTINRyan T & Sarah R 08-0244-000 SECT- 15 2004 8.80Peterson TWP- 101 RNG- 47 NORTH 2.20 ACRES OF GOV LOT 1 ACRES 2.20TOWN OF ROSE DELLRobert E & Diane C 10-0242-000 SECT- 01 2001 298.20Erickson TWP- 104 RNG- 47 N461’ 2002 238.80A-Robert C. Erickson OF W463.8’ OF E1084’ OF 2003 276.20 NW1/4 LESS .18 ACRESHWY #269 ACRES 4.90TOWN OF SPRINGWATERGolden Enterprises 11-0082-000 SECT- 12 2001 2,159.40 TWP- 103 RNG- 47 E 1/2 2002 1,602.80 OF NE1/4 2003 1,864.60 ACRES 80.00 2004 2,109.80Golden Enterprises 11-0083-000 SECT- 12 2001 2,447.60 TWP- 103 RNG- 47 SE1/4 2002 1,950.40 ACRES 160.00 2003 2,379.40 2004 3,033.80Golden Enterprises 11-0084-000 SECT- 12 2001 2,108.80 TWP- 103 RNG- 47 SW1/4 2002 1,444.40 LESS 2.60 ACRES 2003 1,660.00 HWY #23 2004 1,907.40 ACRES 160.00TOWN OF VIENNACentex Home Equity 12-0019-000 SECT- 11 2003 274.00CO LLC TWP- 103 RNG- 44 2004 259.60 E541’ OF N483’ OF S1416’ SE1/4 LESS .19 A CSAH #3 ACRES 6.00 SHERIFF’S SALE RIGHT TO REDEEM 2-16-05CITY OF BEAVER CREEKMark Nagel 13-0049-000 2004 523.60 ORIGINAL PLAT N 8’ OF LOT 17 & ALL OF LOT 18 BLOCK 7Wendell & Jana Faber 13-0088-000 2002 333.40 ORIGINAL PLAT 2003 322.40 W 50’ OF LOTS 1 & 2 2004 354.20 BLOCK 17Gerrit L & Carol A Kuipers 13-0145-000 LOT- 013 2004 212.04 BLOK- 003 SPRING BROOK ADDIITONSpringbrook Dev Group LLC 13-0153-000 LOT- 000 2004 17,952.72 BLOK- 004 SPRING BROOK ADDITION (CLUB HOUSE & COURSE)Springbrook Dev. Group LLC 13-0154-000 LOT- 000 2004 736.44 BLOK 005 SPRING BROOK ADDITIONSpringbrook Dev Group LLC 13-0155-000 LOT- 000 2004 38.76 BLOK 006 SPRING BROOK ADDITIONCITY OF HARDWICKFerlin & Kim Vander Poel 14-0017-000 2004 98.04O-Peter G Arend III & AUDITOR’S OUTLOTS Bonnie Ann Arend 26-104-45 OUTLOT 8Jeannie Robart 14-0067-000 2002 147.94 ORIGINAL PLAT 2003 226.60 LOTS 13 THRU 17 2004 212.04 BLOCK 3Alan Hoover 14-0095-000 2004 83.60 ROSS’S ADDITION S 75’ OF LOT 32Renae R Roberts 14-0100-000 2004 110.00 ROSS’S SECOND ADDITION W1/2 OF LOT 11 & ALL OF LOTS 12 THRU 14 BLOCK 1Delano R Slagel 14-0121-000 2004 36.48 HOUG’S ADDITION LOTS 7 THRU 10 BLOCK 1Delano R Slagel 14-0137-100 2004 912.00 HALVERSON’S ADDITION LOTS 1 THRU 3 BLOCK 4Scott & Tracey Anderson 14-0139-000 LOT- 001 2004 139.70 BLOK- 001 KENNEDY’S ADDITION (IN RESUBDIVISION OF LOTS 1 & 2) CITY OF HILLSGreen Tree Loan Company 15-0051-000 2004 279.40 ORIGINAL PLAT N1/2 OF LOT 11 & ALL LOT 12 & S1/2 OF LOT 13 BLOCK 2Douglas A Scheerhorn 15-0076-000 2004 323.40O-JP Morgan Chase Bank ORIGINAL PLAT LOTS 1 & 2 BLOCK 8Select Portfolio Servicing 15-0088-000 2001 604.00 ORIGINAL PLAT 2002 461.00 LOTS 6 & 7 2003 410.40 BLOCK 10 2004 486.20 SHERIFF’S SALE RIGHT TO REDEEM 6-30-2005Terrance Michael Metzler 15-0136-000 2004 576.40 F.C. FINKE’S ADDITION S 36’ OF LOT 4 & ALL LOT 5 & N1/2 OF LOT 6 BLOCK 17CITY OF JASPERRock County Coop Oil Co 16-0062-100 2004 174.96 RR LEASE #545094CITY OF MAGNOLIABrian & Rebecca Beaner 18-0092-200 2002 16.60 KLEINE’S ADDITION 2004 6.60 OUTLOT A – E50’ OF W150’ OF OUTLOT A & N67’ OF E50’ OF W150’ OF TRACTS OF OUTLOT A LYING N OF RR R/WSara Ochda Mendoza Guerra 18-0092-300 2003 491.08 KLEINE’S ADDITION 2004 20.52 E100’ OF W250’ OF OUTLOT A & N67’ OF E100’ OF W250’ OF TRACT 5 OF OUTLOT A LYING N OF RR R/WJessica O’Daniel 18-0106-000 2004 330.00 GUTZLER’S ADDITION LOTS 1 THRU 3 BLOCK 2CITY OF STEENDouglas & Jayne Moe 19-0013-000 SECT- 29 2004 235.40 TWP- 101 RNG- 45 W108’ OF E372’ OF S150’ & W198’ OF E462’ OF N510’ OF S660’ OF SW1/4 ACRES 2.69 Randy & Kathy Marshall 19-0073-000 2001 478.60 ORIGINAL 2002 406.00 BLOCK 10 2003 388.40 2004 385.00Randy & Kathy Marshall 19-0102-000 2001 23.20 DRIES BOSCH ADDITION 2002 18.80 LOTS 1 & 2 2003 16.60 BLOCK 10 2004 6.60Randy & Kathryn Marshall 19-0103-000 LOT- 003 2001 16.60 BLOK- 010 2002 14.40 DRIES BOSCH ADDITION 2003 14.40 2004 4.40Randy & Kathryn Marshall 19-0104-100 LOT- 006 2001 16.60 BLOK- 010 2002 14.40 DRIES BOSCH ADDITION 2003 14.40 & RR R/W IN S44’ OF E26 2004 4.40 1/2’ OF W122.5’ OF N1/2 OF NE 1/4 SEC32 TWP101 RNG45Rock County Coop Oil 19-0106-000 SECT-32 2004 253.08 TWP- 101 RNG-45 PRT OF ABAND ILLINOIS CENTRAL GULF RR R/W IN NE1/4 OF NW1/4 DESC AS: FROM A PT WHERE A LN= W/ORIG MAIN TRACK ON ORIG N LN OF 200’ R/W INTERSECTS W/ SLY EXTOF E LN OF 60’ WIDE DAKOTAST, SELY ALG 50 LN 50’ TO POB, SELY 50’, SWLY AT RTANG 200’ TO S LN OF 200’ R/W, NWLY AT RT ANG ALG S R/W 50’ TO A PT. NELY ATRT ANG 200’ TO POBACRES .23CITY OF LUVERNEZachary R & Jolene M 20-0096-000 2003 718.40Borman AUDITOR’S OUTLOTS 2004 730.40O-Thomas L & Janet F 10-102-45 TRACT 152’Wienk X 80’ IN OUTLOT 13 DESC IN DEED #79723Joseph Allen Smith Sr 20-0111-000 2001 266.30 AUDITOR’S OUTLOTS 2002 716.80 10-102-45 TRACT 80’ X 176’ 2003 323.50 IN OUTLOTS 20 & 21Charlotte Ann Green Et Al 20-0123-000 2004 249.70 AUDITOR’S OUTLOTS 11-102-45 W 50’ OF E 342’ OF N 138’ OF OUTLOT 1Susie Kelderman Et Al 20-0126-000 2004 380.76 AUDITOR’S OUTLOTS 11-102-45 W 60’ OF E 134’ OF N 167’ OF OUTLOT 2James A & Idella N Remme 20-0211-000 LOT- 010 2002 604.00 BLOK- 001 2003 520.40 AUDITOR’S PLAT #2 2004 545.60William H & Terry R 20-0231-100 2004 451.00Bullis AUDITOR’S PLAT #3 N 76’ OF LOT 14 SUBD OF OUTLOT 17Harvey Milo Horn 20-0251-000 2004 49.02 BARCK, ADAMS & HOWE’S ADDITION S 72’ OF E 74’ OF LOT 5 BLOCK 2Gregory R Winter & 20-0554-000 2004 621.50A-Raymond E Winter CRAWFORD’S ADDITION S 35’ OF LOT 22 & ALL LOT 23 (RAYMOND E WINTER INTEREST-LIFE ESTATE WITH REM INT IN GREGORY R WINTER & NANCY A BROWNE)Tim & Pamela L Christensen 20-0580-000 LOT- 003 2003 639.20 BLOK- 004 DAVIS ADDITION 2004 1,291.40Ardyth Gass 20-0659-000 LOT- 004 2003 233.30 BLOK- 006 2004 470.80 GREENVALE ADDITIONSusan A Erwin 20-1040-000 2004 188.10 KREPS & CLARK ADDITION I & W 48 1/2’ OF LOT 2 BLOCK 1Patricia Anderson 20-1078-000 2002 436.80 ORIGINAL PLAT 2003 370.80 N 60’ OF LOTS 8 & 9 2004 369.60 BLOCK 3Cindy Adamson 20-1104-000 2002 326.80 ORIGINAL PLAT 2003 282.80 LOTS 8 & 9 2004 283.80 BLOCK 7Joseph M Reif 20-1106-000 2004 332.20 ORIGINAL PLAT N1/2 OF LOTS 10 & 11 BLOCK 7Lava Flow Interactive LLC 20-1125-000 LOT- 015 2004 442.32 BLOK- 008 ORIGINAL PLATJames M & Patricia A 20-1271-000 2004 499.32Johnson RANDALL & HOLBERT’S ADDITION N 41’ OF W 78.6’ OF LOT 8 BLOCK 2Bill & Terry Bullis 20-1278-000 2001 167.32O-Thomas M & Judy K LOT- 003 BLOK- 003 2002 158.20Gott RANDALL & HOLBERT’S 2003 217.48 ADDITION 2004 198.36Ruth E Steinfeldt 20-1422-000 2001 138.70 VAN EPS & VARY’S 2002 260.80 ADDITION 2003 227.80S1/2 OF LOT 1 2004 226.60 BLOCK 20Thomas D & 20-1669-000 2002 964.80Roberta L Serie WARREN & KNISS’ 2003 821.80ADDITION 2004 871.20 W 72’ OF S 150’ & TRACT 20’ X 27’ DES. IN DEED #65240 BLOCK 14Joy Herreid Vineyard 20-1684-000 2004 455.40Dawson WARREN AND KNISS’ ADDITIONE 73’ OF LOTS 1 & 2 BLOCK 16Joy Herreid Vineyard 20-1684-100 2004 434.34Dawson WARREN AND KNISS’ ADDITIONW 40 1/2’ OF E 113 1/2’ OFLOTS 1 & 2BLOCK 16Thomas B Rager 20-1785-000 LOT- 005 2004 308.00 BLOK- 005 WESTVIEW ADDITIONMark Matthew Zimmer & 20-1851-000 SECT- 14 2004 1,475.16O-The First National Bank & TWP- 102 RNG- 45 PART OFTrust NW1/4 LYING W OF RR DEED #83336 & #93645 & #93791 (EXC. 23 A FOR ROAD R/W)ACRES 2.12 (3-17, 3-24)

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFPERRY J. WILLIAMSON DECEDENTIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, April 4, 2005, at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated December 11, 1985, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of Peggy Slobe whose address is: 1015 28th Avenue, Rock Valley, IA 51247 and Robert Williamson whose address is: 25533 488th, Garretson, SD 57030 as personal representatives of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representatives will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ TIMOTHY K. CONNELLTIMOTHY K. CONNELLJudge Date/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKSANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativesBENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.127 E. MainP.O. Box 746Luverne, MN 56156-0746507-283-9546Attorney I.D. No. 112124(3-17, 3-24)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGConditional Use Permit for Gravel ExtractionPursuant to the Rock County Zoning Ordinance, notice is hereby given by the Rock County Planning Commission that a public hearing will be held at the Rock County Family Service Center located at 2 Roundwind Road in Luverne, MN at 8:10 p.m. on Monday, March 28th, 2005. The purpose of this hearing is to hear public comments on the following conditional use permits for gravel extraction and a hot mix plant: Buffalo Bituminous Hot Mix Plant Located in the SE 1/4 of Section 15 in Luverne TownshipRupp Construction Gravel Extraction Located in the NW 1/4 of Section 33 in Battle Plain Township Pronk Ready Mix Gravel Extraction Located in the NW1/4 of Section 28 in Battle Plain Township Pronk Ready Mix Gravel Extraction W60 acres of NE 1/4 and the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 and the W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 10 in Battle Plain Township Pronk Ready Mix Gravel Extraction Located in the SE 1/4 of Section 3 in Battle Plain TownshipPronk Ready Mix Gravel Extraction Located in the SW 1/4 of Section 16 in Battle Plain TownshipZoning AdministratorEric Hartman(3-17, 3-24)

NOTICE of PUBLIC MEETINGNotice is hereby given that on Monday, March 28, 2005, at 8:00 p.m. the Rock County Planning and Zoning board will hold a public meeting to hear input on the proposed construction of an animal feedlot by Arends Farms. The public meeting will be held at the Rock County Family Services Building located at 2 Roundwind, Luverne, MN.The feedlot would be located in the SE 1/4 of Section 26 in Vienna Township T103N R44W. Persons attending the meeting will be given an opportunity to speak either in favor of or in opposition to the application. This is per Minnesota Rules part 4410.4300. Subpart 29, item B.(3-17, 3-24)

INVITATION FOR INSURANCE BIDSThe Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Luverne, MN, is requesting bids for Workers’ Compensation Insurance, Property Insurance, Commercial/Comprehensive General Liability, and Non-owned Automobile. Coverage will be for a one-year period, effective May 1, 2005. Bids will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2005.For proposal information, specifications, and bid formats, please contact the HRA of Luverne, 216 N. McKenzie, Luverne, MN 56156. Telephone: 507-283-4922(3-17)

As I see it the smoking issue is a choice of freedoms. If people want to smoke OK, and if not, OK, but I do not think a city government should say that you can or cannot. That would be their choice. Why should a bar be different than any other business? If we make it non-smoking, make the whole town non-smoking. And if everyone thinks that non-smoking is the way to go, why are there no non-smoking bars around? There must be money to be made the way it sounds. So to me, why not let the issue be? Everyone knows what they are getting into if they work there or if they stop by for a drink. Also, most have a non-smoking area that is available for people. My next question would be are all of the city’s properties like buildings, trucks, cars, parks and all equipment smoke free? If not, maybe we should take care of that first, then let other business owners make their decisions as they see fit. Rod DahlagerLuverne

I have watched roughly 40 high school basketball games per year since I graduated from high school in 2001. Over the course of those 200 or so games I have seen some players and fans do things they regret. Players are young kids and can let their emotions get in the way which leads to them doing something they regret. Fans can be obnoxious and scream at the opposing team, coaches, and refs but that is part of the game. I am not saying it is right, but it happens. But when a coach retaliates and actually sends a profane slur back at the crowd, something has to be done. And that is exactly what happened Saturday evening at Southwest Minnesota State University in the 3AA Sub-section final that featured Pipestone Area versus Luverne. During the first half of the game which was one of great magnitude and showcased two bitter, long-time rivals vying for a chance to continue their season and get one game closer to the state tournament, Luverne Coach Tom Rops was heckled by some Pipestone Area fans. He then turned to the crowd and said "Kiss my A**!" If this is acceptable and nothing is done about it then what kind of message is this sending to his younger children who witnessed it, his team and most importantly his profession. That is what bothered me the most, he is supposed to be a professional and he should definitely act like one. When you are at the helm you are placed on a pedestal. Whether you like it or not it is a responsibility you assume when taking a coaching job. I don’t know if Coach Rops is aware of this, but I am going to go out on a limb and say that he probably knows that and should probably think twice before doing something so childish, immature and unprofessional. That whole scene, to me, took away any respect that I formerly had for the Luverne basketball team, and that isn’t fair to the players. A coach needs to be able to ignore the fans and do his job, and someone needs to teach Coach Rops that exact principle. TJ Newgard Pipestone

We would like to congratulate the skaters on their wonderful performance. They were great. We do have one complaint. We don’t think it is fair for the skaters’ families to save all the bleachers with their blankets.We got there extra early and no place to sit and nobody there. If they want the public to come they better adopt the policy, first come, first sit.Judy and Dale HawesLuverne