By Sara QuamLogistical problems prevented Rock County and the city of Luverne from signing a new law enforcement contract by the Feb. 15 deadline.Three county commissioners — because of vacation, family emergency and medical problems — were absent from the meeting, so there wasn’t a quorum to vote.Also, the commissioners and Luverne City Council members weren’t comfortable voting on a contract they had just received for review Tuesday.Some last-minute additions to the contract language put off county commissioners and attorney as well.The city added a clause to the contract that would have the city claiming ownership to half the law enforcement center assets. But the county says that’s impossible to assume since the relationship between the city of Luverne and Rock County is contractual.County Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "That’s like me going to the dentist, and because I pay for a service, I say I own the drill."The contract didn’t say the city of Luverne would have to pay for maintenance and replacement of assets, such as vehicles, 911 equipment and the structure itself.Wildung suggested both city and county attorneys and two members from each body meet in a liaison committee to discuss details of the contract that both sides want to iron out.That couldn’t happen Tuesday night when she suggested it because there wasn’t time for proper public notice.County Attorney Don Klosterbuer said the penalty for violating the meeting law would be a fine if someone pursued it.Instead of a committee meeting, Wildung, as a county representative, and Luverne Alderman Bob Kaczrowski met with County Attorney Don Klosterbuer and City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi in an informal, non-public review of the contract after the meeting Tuesday.From there, both sides should be closer to agreeing on the particulars of the law enforcement contract, which has the city of Luverne paying the county $604,000 for 2005. After this year, through 2010, the city will pay 5 percent more per year. Both the city and the county have scheduled meetings Tuesday, Feb. 22. They will have the contract updated by the attorneys, based on input from Wildung and Kaczrowski, to review before then.As full boards, they will discuss the contract and then vote on its approval in a special joint meeting Thursday, Feb. 24.

By Lori EhdeHe bears the physical scars of combat, but Marine Lance Cpl. Kevin Miller is at home now in Luverne, and he says he’s fine.Son of Steve and Kari Schultz, Kevin just completed a dangerous tour of duty in Iraq, where he was injured by enemy fire in the war-torn city of Falluja.For his parents, Kevin’s arrival home represented permission to finally exhale.Miraculous survivalAK-47 bullets pierced Kevin’s right arm and grenade shrapnel peppered his left leg during a Nov. 27 ambush that he miraculously survived."Looking back on that whole incident, I really did witness a miracle," Kevin said. "My angels were there, blocking the bullets."Kevin is a member of Bravo Company of the First Battalion, Eighth Marines, which saw some of the worst infantry fighting so far in the war.He was injured in a follow-up mission after more than a week of heavy combat in the streets of Falluja. Kevin was the lead Marine in his unit, kicking in doors one house at a time. In one of the houses, Kevin’s group was ambushed. When he kicked in a door, he found himself face-to-face with an enemy AK-47 which started spraying ammunition.Kevin’s flak jacket absorbed most of the hits, but one bullet found his right arm and he dropped his weapon to the floor.His friend, Lance Cpl. Joshua Lucero, lay dead in the middle of the room while Kevin fled to a small bathroom near an exit. Part of the miracle, Kevin said, is that when a grenade detonated nearby, it blew an aluminum door off the wall, allowing him to escape from the house alive.Out of harm’s wayKevin’s injuries meant he’d spend the rest of his active duty recuperating in a military hospital, which relieved his parents."I’m just so elated, I can’t even describe it," Kari told the Star Herald in December. "I know for a fact that he’s safe and well-cared for. … For the first time we’re certain of something."On the morning of Jan. 26, the day that they were to leave for North Carolina for Kevin’s unit’s homecoming, a news flash came on CNN that 31 Marines were killed in a transport helicopter crash in the area of Iraq where he would have been leaving that day. "I could feel the blood just leave my face," Steve said. "Here we were packing for a trip to pick him up, and we didn’t know if he was going to be there." Steve said that day was like many others in the past several months. "I would read the online papers in the morning and some days there would be headlines that Marines were killed," Steve said. "I would then tab down slowly, fearfully, hoping that there was information to indicate that it did not involve Kevin’s unit."As it turned out, Kevin’s unit arrived safely and on time at Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Jan. 30.Seeing Kevin that day was overwhelming in itself, but while searching for him in the crowd, Steve looked around in the predawn darkness and noticed all the other heart-wrenching reunions happening at once."It was almost surreal," he said. "People were crying, some screaming hysterically, and others were holding each other silently. … Some were seeing their babies for the first time."‘Death doesn’t really bother me anymore’Kevin arrived back in Luverne last week and is adjusting to civilian life.In the quiet comforts of home, the battlefields of Iraq are half a world away, but the not-so-distant memories still occupy his mind.Just a few short months ago, Kevin witnessed death and dismemberment on a regular basis. "I lost lots of friends over there," he said. "I’ll miss them."Kevin knows his long-term emotional health could be affected by the traumatic images of war, but he said he’s found a way to cope."Death doesn’t really bother me anymore. It’s going to happen to everyone eventually," he said. "I can remember thinking when I was over there that no matter what happens, you win. If you come back alive, you can use those experiences to live a better life."If you’re wounded, you get out of Falluja, which is what everybody wanted — to chill out in a military hospital."If you die, that’s better than what we were going through. The ones who died, they had it the best. They’re in a better place."… That’s what I told myself in my head to help me deal with it."Life with a purposeKevin said he not only views death differently, he views his purpose in life from a new perspective."All you can do is use this life in preparation for eternity," he said."It was a miracle that I survived that day, so I figure God has some purpose for my life."Kevin said he doesn’t know what that means long-term, but his plans for civilian life include moving to southern California this fall to get a degree in nursing.Kevin will receive a Purple Heart for the injuries he incurred while serving his country, but he said the intangible effects of war are more meaningful."I think the things I experienced in Iraq will help me later in life," Kevin said. "Sometimes when you’re down and out, God uses those times to strengthen you."If I’m a nurse helping other people who have experienced something traumatic or witnessed something terrible, I use my own experiences to help them."In the short-term, though, Kevin said his military experiences have simply taught him to appreciate simple freedoms."I’m enjoying lots of stuff I took for granted before — small stuff, like talking in the kitchen to Mom while she’s cooking or watching Seinfeld with Dad."Kevin’s tour in Iraq is complete, but he returns to Camp Lejeune Feb. 25 to fill out his remaining six-months of active duty. He still has a three-year inactive commitment remaining with the Marines.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek Mock Trial teams finished their regular season last week. The two teams had 0-2 and 1-1 records for the year. They competed against teams from Jackson County, Springfield and Worthington.Superintendent David Deragisch said he was pleased with their results, "Even though our win-loss record is not great, our point totals were excellent. Our defeats were by fewer than 10 points."Based on their point accumulation HBC Team II, which finished 1-1, qualified for the regional competition in Ivanhoe on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at 9 a.m.Attorneys for Team II were Melinda Feucht, Adam Voss and Kari Roozenboom. Witnesses were Lyntausha Kuehl, Cassie Duncan, Brittany Boeve, Aleesa Arends, Rebecca Crawford and Danyelle Williams. The team’s bailiff was Zach Schroer.

By Lexi MooreHills-Beaver Creek School Board members made arrangements during Monday’s meeting to attend a statewide rally for public school funding on Feb. 28 at the State Capitol Building in Saint Paul.Members of the board cited several sources that are encouraging school board members, school officials and teachers to lobby for educational finance reform during the School Board Member Day at the Capitol.Education funding in Minnesota has not increased in three years. Board members said they feel their voices need to be heard so that changes will be made.The current solution to school finance problems offered by state officials is for school boards to levy their district’s citizens for additional funds. Board member Gary Esselink spoke against district levying. "All the mandates we have to follow are set by the state, but the state doesn’t want to pay for it," Esselink said. "They expect us to get the money. There comes a point when we can’t ask any more of our citizens."Five H-BC board members and Superintendent David Deragisch plan to attend the event in Saint Paul. Their day will begin at the Kelly Inn with a welcome from Minnesota School Board Association President Jack Williams. The morning will be spent listening to various speakers including Representative Barbara Sykora, Chair of the House K-12 Education Finance Co. and Senator Steve Kelley, Chair of the Senate Education Policy Committee.Board members will also attend meetings with their local legislatures. During these meetings they will make sure their representatives are aware of the problems facing the H-BC school district.Their final destination will be the Alliance for Student Achievement Rally at the Capitol.This event, sponsored by the Alliance for Student Achievement, is intended to let the Minnesota "legislators know that fully funding public education must be a priority in our state."Information on the rally can be found by calling 1-800-672-0993 or visiting www.AllianceforStudentAchievement.org. Board members voted to cancel their regular meeting on Feb. 28 due to lobby day and the rally. Their next school board meeting will be on March 14 at 7:30.In other school news:H-BC Elementary School began working with a guest teacher from Japan. Her name is Naoko and she will be working with the preschool and kindergarten classes on Thursdays and Fridays.oDeragisch met with H-BC bus drivers last week to explain a new policy that requires bus drivers to inspect the bus interior and exterior after the children have been dropped off. This will happen twice a day, in the morning and evening, with a specific check list. oThe elementary school Family Night will be Monday, Feb. 28. This session will center on writing. Family Nights focusing on reading and math earlier in the year have been well attended.oH-BC students had another outstanding academic quarter. Deragisch reported that 51percent of the students were on either the A or B honor roll. Four of those students had perfect 4.0 grade point averages.oMembers spent time congratulating various winter athletic teams on their outstanding seasons. They specifically mentioned girls and boys basketball teams and wished senior wrestler Cody Scholten luck in his individual section competition Feb. 18-19.

By Lexi MooreA fire on Tuesday, Feb. 8, on Bill Kroon’s property caused substantial damage but no injuries. The property is southeast of Steen.The fire started in a building used as a workshop on the south of the Kroon residence. Fire departments from Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen contained the fire to the east portion of the building.Bill Kroon had been welding in the shop not long before the blaze began. Kroon said he was careful and always uses safety precautions when welding. The building furnace was running at the time as well.After Kroon finished his work in the shop, he returned to his residence. Within 15 minutes, Robert Sandbulte had arrived to tell Kroon about the flames coming from his shop.It has not been determined if the fire started because of his welding work or if there was a problem with the furnace.Kroon used the eastern section of the shop as a workshop stocked with tools. In the remainder of the building he stored his collection of antique tractors.Because the blaze was kept to the eastern portion of the building, the shop and tools were destroyed. Although two antique tractors were ruined, four others survived with minor damages. Kroon summed up the damages in an interview last Thursday."They will need to be repainted and some plastic pieces will have to be replaced. But the tires are OK."Despite the damages, Kroon said he feels lucky about the situation."It wasn’t my home. And the shop was not a total loss. A lot can be replaced. I am thankful we didn’t get hurt or lose our home."

Curt Bloemendaal, president of Tri-State Insurance of Minnesota, announced expansion plans to employees of the Luverne company.
Construction began to transform the Magnolia school building into Pinnacle Programs, owned by Maurice Crowley.
Sandy Peterson sold her 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo to the television show "Unsolved Mysteries" for a reenactment scene.25 years ago (1980)
The Green Earth Players will be on stage at the Landmark Center in St. Paul. The community theater group has been asked to present a cutting from "Death of a Salesman" during a special program for state officials.
Luverne’s 16-2 regular season record is the best in 12 years according to Gordon Gits, who keeps game stats.
Representative Wendell Erickson chairs the education division of the House Appropriations Committee and this week the committee reviewed predicted enrollments in state institutions of higher learning through the year 2000.50 years ago (1955)
Clarabel, a clown character of Howdy Doody fame will be at Kenny’s Super Valu all day Saturday.
Mary Nelson, daughter of Rev. and Mrs. S.T. Nelson, Luverne, was named the Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow in a written examination at the school.
Kenny’s advertised Miracle Whip at 53¢ per jar; bananas at 13¢ per pound; Kraft Velveeta for 49¢ per pound, and 100-pound bag of red potatoes for $1.89.75 years ago (1930)
The slot machine which was in operation at the Coffee Cup was confiscated by Chief of Police P.J. Connell on the grounds that it was a gambling device, was demolished under orders from Judge Frank Ferguson. It contained $66.50 in quarters.
Sheep owners Joseph Cleppe, G. Gabrielson, J.E. Mitchell and Neil Roberts reported that their flocks have been attacked by roving dogs.
Miss Virginia Jacobsen will have the honor of being valedictorian of the senior class of 1930 of the Luverne High School, and Miss Barbara Bell will be salutatorian.100 years ago (1905)
For the past three weeks the Omaha company has experience a great deal of difficulty in getting water for its engines. The trouble has been due to the fact that there has not been enough wind to operate the windmill by which the water is pumped.
"Last fall the Herald published the prediction of an open winter, basing the prophesy on the action of the muskrats and the observations of the ‘old settler.’ It was told that the muskrats built very thin houses and that this indicated a warm winter. Up to date, however, the muskrat theory has been sadly discredited. January was the coldest month in five years."

DISTRICT COURTPROBATE DIVISIONFIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICTNOTICE OF INFORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKESTATE OFWilmina Winterswyk DECEDENTNotice is given that an application for informal probate of the Decedent’s will dated April 26, 1996, and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), has been filed with the Registrar. The application has been granted. Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Robert Stegenga whose address is: 1193 91st Street, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are filed with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate.Any objections to the probate of the will or appointment of the Personal Representative must be filed with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the filing of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing.Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred. /s/ Timothy K. Connell 2/14/05Timothy K. Connell Registrar Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 2/14/05Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507 283-911156674(2-17, 2-24)

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 OFLeon E. Opsata, a/k/a Leon OpsataIt is Ordered and Notice is given that on March 14, 2005 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at the Rock County Courthouse, 204 East Brown, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated March 26, 1986 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 Richard Opsata whose address is: 110 West Luverne, Luverne, Minnesota 56156 as personal representative 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 representative 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 representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred./s/ Timothy K. Connell 2/10/05Timothy K. Connell Judge Date/s/ Sandra L. Vrtacnik 2/10/05Sandra L. Vrtacnik Court Administrator DateAttorney For Personal RepresentativeDonald R. KlosterbuerSkewes, Klosterbuer & Vajgrt, L.L.P.120 N. McKenzieBox 538Luverne, MN 56156-0538507 283-911156674(2-17, 2-24)

DISTRICT COURTFIFTH Judicial DistrictProbate Court DivisionORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOITCE TO CREDITORSSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate ofMartin W. Mayes DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 4th day of April, 2005, at 9:00 o’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named decedent, dated February 12, 1998, and for the appointment of Walter A. Tofteland whose address is 1409 Evergreen Drive, Luverne MN 56156 as personal representative 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 personal representative 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 representative shall file a final account for the allowance and shall distribute the estate to the persons thereunto 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 personal representative or to the Court administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: February 10, 2005TIMOTHY K. CONNELLJudge /s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIKCourt AdministratorAttorney Walter A. Tofteland109 North CedarLuverne, MN 56156MN Atty. Lic. No. 110279(2-17, 2-24)