The Hills-Beaver Creek girls basketball team traveled to Comfrey for a rescheduled game on Tuesday, Jan. 11. Brittany Rozeboom netted 10 points and grabbed five rebounds. Kerri Fransman made 10 points, with Cassi Tilstra netting 17 points and coming up with eight rebounds. Malinda Feucht had seven rebounds and five assists. Kelly Mulder blocked five shots. With four seconds left in overtime, Cassi Tilstra had a shot under the basket on an inbound pass to Stacy Bush. She made the bucket, so the girls took the win 49 to 47. "Despite not shooting well, the girls continued to play hard from start to finish," Coach Goehle said. "Our defensive pressure late in the overtime was the key in turning a five-point deficit into a two-point win." Patriot girls demolish W-WGH-BC girls played Westbrook-Walnut Grove at W-WG on Jan. 13, and returned home with a decisive 82-35 win.Cassi Tilstra had 20 points, seven steals and 10 assists. Brittany Helgeson netted 12 points. Kelly Mulder had 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds. "The girls shot the ball very well and were able to cause a number of turnovers, which helped us get the thing rolling," Coach Goehle said.Girls take fourth in a row against the West Lyon WildcatsThe girls traveled with the boys to West Lyon on Saturday, Jan. 15, to take their fourth win in a row. The score was 52-43. The girls had a total of 30 rebounds and 17 turnovers. Cassi Tilstra netted 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Malinda Feucht had nine points and hit two big shots late in the fourth quarter. Kelly Mulder blocked seven shots along with Brittney Rozeboom making six points. These stories were submitted by Katie McGaffee.

Hazel C. Hoiland, 87, Luverne, died Monday, Jan. 17, 2005, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D.Services were Thursday, Jan. 20, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Dell B. Sanderson and Maurice E. Hagen officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne.Hazel Swenson was born to Gustaf and Sarah (Coughlin) Swenson on May 26, 1917, in Kenneth. She attended country school in rural Kenneth. She married Ole Hoiland on Aug. 8, 1936, in Sioux Falls. After their marriage the couple farmed in rural Luverne. In 1980 they retired and moved to Luverne. She moved to Tuff Memorial Home in Hills in November 2004.Mrs. Hoiland was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and the Ladies Circle. She enjoyed embroidering and flower gardening. Survivors include four children, John (Betty) Hoiland, Norma (Glen) Walters, Deanna (David) Dawson, all of Sioux Falls, and Roy Hoiland, Luverne; 11 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and one brother, John (Mary) Swenson, Beaver Creek.Mrs. Hoiland was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ole, on Dec. 11, 1984, an infant daughter, Judy, a grandson, LeRoy Hoiland, six brothers, Guy, Roy, Emmett, Ray, Paul and Elmer Swenson, and one sister, Goldie Stuckenbroker.Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

PROBATE COURTDISTRICT COURT—COUNTY COURTPROBATE DIVISIONORDER AND NOTICE OF HEARING FOR FORMAL PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE IN SUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION AND NOTICE TO CREDITORSANCILLARY PROCEEDINGSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of Ralph W. Sandstede, DeceasedTO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS AND CREDITORS:It is Ordered and Notice is hereby given that on the 7th day of February, 2005, at 9:00 O’clock A.M., a hearing will be held in the above named Court at Rock County Courthouse, Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of the above named deceased, dated January 18, 2002, and for the appointment of Joann Sandstede, whose address is 135 W. Berdine, Roseburg, OR 97470, as personal representative of the estate of the above named decedent in a supervised administration, and that any objections thereto must be filed with the Court. That, if proper, and no objections are filed, said personal representatives 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 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 personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this notice or said claims will be barred. Dated: January 18, 2005 /s/ Timothy K. ConnellTimothy K. Connell District Court Judge/s/ Douglas E. Eisma /s/ Sandra L. VrtacnikDouglas E. Eisma Sandra L. VrtacnikAttorney for Petitioner Court AdministratorEisma and Eisma130 East Main, Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507)283-4828I.D. #158343(1-20, 1-27)

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYJANUARY 10, 2005Ross Metzger, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. Board members present: Ross Metzger, Keith Elbers, Jim Jellema, and Linus Svoboda. Board members absent: Dana Dahlquist. Employee present: Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Guest: Lexi Moore, Reporter-Hills Crescent. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve the minutes of December 14th. Motion carried.Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the December expenditures. Motion carried. The Board approved to replace the furnace in apartment #506, due to problems with the heat exchanger. The company will allow a price break toward the replacement of a new furnace for $650. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to hire Jerry Hoff to replace the carpet and install vinyl in apartment #500 for $3,000. Motion carried. The Board reviewed information, provided by the City’s auditors, which summarized the status of TIF receipts from 1990 through 2003 for a total $33,744, The outstanding TIF payments of $2,891 will be received through 2005, which will complete the payments from the Endeavor and Zarmbinski TIF projects.Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to adjourn.Connie J. WiertzemaSecretary(1-20)

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILJANUARY 11, 2005Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. with the following council members present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, and Ross Metzger, Council member absent: Dana Dahlquist. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Wayne Ward, City Maintenance. Guests: Jeff Bass and Derek Bundesen-Hills Fire Department; Lexi Moore-Hills Crescent: Jon and Tedra Voss and Gene DeSmet.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger to approve the minutes of December 14th and 20th. None opposed, motion carried. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Metzger to approve payment of the December expenditures: General $6,432.91; Park $1,550.31; Fire $6,981.97; Street $3,144.54 plus Pickup & Tractor Fund $4,741.50; Legion $773.63; Sewer $1,622.22; Garbage $1,159.60; Recycling $494.20; Water $4,972.50; Baseball $11.74; Softball $22.63. None opposed, motion carried. General Checking 138,327.85General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 243,300.81General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03 – cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,994.17Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5%, 10/18/03 – cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (pref. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,401.93Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 1,916.81Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 22,305.08Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 – account closed and transferred to EDA checking Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 417.76Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,248.54EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5/7/05 28,668.82EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 07/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond $10,661.76EDA CD#18597, 1.0%, 12/17/04 (renew & int. added each month 20,319.19EDA CD#18505, 1.0%, 12/22/04 (renew & int. added each month) 10,695.47Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve the Treasurer’s report. None opposed, motion carried. The Council instructed city maintenance to make the sidewalk located north of the City’s water tower, along State Hwy. 270, a priority for snow and ice removal, to avoid having children walk on the highway to and from school. The Clerk was instructed to bill New Vision for 25,000 gallons of water for a water line break at the fertilizer building on January 31st.Payment to Vantek Communications will be held until the base and two-way radios are working properly. Jon and Tedra Voss appeared at the meeting to inform the Council of tree roots that are causing blockage in the sewer line leading to their home. Voss replaced the sewer line from the City’s main into the home at their expense and are asking that the City make repairs in the main line. Voss presented the Council with a video, taken by Hansel Plumbing, showing problems in the line. The Council agreed to make the necessary repairs next spring. City Maintenance was instructed to contact the Rock County Sheriff’s Office to request that an abandoned pickup be removed from a city street.Discussion regarding crossing guards was tabled, pending a response from the Hills-Beaver Creek school board. Jeff Bass and Derek Bundesen of the Hills Fire Dept. appeared at the meeting to discuss the replacement of the 1976 International tanker truck with a good used, but larger tanker truck. Bass questioned whether the Fire Truck Replacement funding could be increased to generate better funding for future truck replacements. The Council asked the Fire Department to obtain proposals for replacing the tanker, and to contact Martin Township for their input. The City, Martin Township and Fire Chief will meet in February to discuss truck trade-in proposals, renewal of fire contracts, and the Fire Department’s proposed budget for 2006.The Council made the following appointments for 2005, pending its acceptance: Mayor Pro Tem – Linus Svoboda; Official newspaper-Hills Crescent; Civil Defense Director-Doug Chapman; Weed Inspector-Dave Leenderts; Official Bank-Exchange State Bank; Health Officer-Dr. Diane Kennedy; City Attorney-Doug Eisma; EDA President-Dana Dahlquist; EDA Vice President-Ross Metzger; EDA Secretary-Connie Wiertzema; and EDA Treasurer-Joanne Goehle. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Metzger to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to 40.5 cents per mile; to leave the Hills American Legion building rental policy as written; and to leave the equipment rental policies as noted below.Equipment rentals: (trucks, tractors, mowers, etc.) $40 per hour; equipment must remain within the city limits; charge labor at time and one-half. Mosquito sprayer: $50 per hour for sprayer; $35 per hour labor; plus cost of chemical. Street sweeper: $80 per hour for machine and man-hours. Council reserves the right to refuse any and all rentals. The Council approved of an Assessment Agreement with the Rock County Assessor’s Office, as discussed at the May 11, 2004 meeting. The Agreement is a two-year contract beginning with 2005 for the sum of $5,665.00 and $5,892.00 in 2006.Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve payment of the Fire Department’s December expenditures. None opposed, motion carried. The City’s 1991 Chevy pickup will be available for sale at auction on January 29th, at 10:30 a.m. at Hills American Legion located at 211 South Main.Elbers was asked to inquire whether the City or EDA would be willing to loan money toward the purchase of a building on Main Avenue, in order to begin the operation of a fitness center. This fitness center would be open to the public through membership, and possibly used for physical therapy programs. The Council expressed interest in discussing the matter, but requests that the proposing persons gather detailed information to be discussed at a future meeting. The city attorney will be contacted regarding the requirements in establishing a business within a tax free zone, and whether the City of Hills qualifies within that zone. Motion by Metzger, seconded by Elbers to adjourn at 7:35 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(1-20)

Just as I am? "Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidd’st me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!" This line from an old hymn celebrates God’s unconditional acceptance of sinners. It’s a line our society is singing anew today — but with a twist. In its original setting, "Just as I am" spoke of God’s call to seek His mercy even in the filth of our sins. We need not and cannot cleanse ourselves before seeking cleansing in Christ.In another sense, the Rev. Martin Luther King — whose birthday we recently observed — stirred men’s hearts with a call for mutual acceptance of our neighbor as one made in the image of God — not as a lesser being because of the color of his skin.But today, the call for acceptance has extended in new directions. Today folks demand acceptance of their homosexuality, "trans-gender identity," and adultery. They demand that we not question excessive drinking, permissive parenting, or questionable business practices. Rather than counsel or judgment, they expect tolerance, inclusion, and affirmation of their lifestyle choices. To dissent, they say, is to trample underfoot the reforms of the civil rights movement.But they’re wrong. King’s glorious message was the Biblical truth that there is no true difference between folk of African, European or Asian descent. From the dust all are formed, and each stands as a living image of his Creator. But this new movement demands denial of the Bible’s truth. When Christ calls men and women to seek rest in him, he does indeed call sinners to come "just as I am, without one plea." Yet by God’s grace, he doesn’t let us remain as we are. God sent his son because, in our sins, we are lost — naturally rebellious, alienated from him, utterly unable to arise from the sins that enslave us. And he does more than forgive. He also calls us to radical change — turning from the sins that held us fast and embracing the holiness of Jesus himself. And if God calls something evil — like greed, lust, hatred, or theft — we are to flee it. "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God?" Paul asks. Then, having listed a number of sins, he continues: "Such were some of you! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor. 6:9,11). In Christ, we were delivered from our enslavement to sin!"We know that our old self was crucified with [Jesus] in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. … Consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Jesus Christ" (Rom.6:6,11). What a glorious calling is ours in Christ – who accepts us "just as I am," and then calls us to become just as He is!

10 years ago (1995)"The Hills Economic Development Authority approved the first draft (resolution) of the plans for the city’s four-plex apartment. The apartments, which will be constructed on the south side of Jacobson Park, will have approximately 1,040 square feet of living space and an additional 200 feet that encompasses a single garage.F&L Management, Luverne, has provided the local EDA with the plans."25 years ago (1980)"H-BC’s Teacher of the Year for 1980 never dreamed when he entered the profession that he would still be teaching after nine years. ‘I never thought I would last that long.’ said Roger Jackson, junior high math and algebra teacher and H-BC’s Teacher of the Year. ‘But I love teaching more now than when I started.’Jackson was voted Teacher of the Year Tuesday morning by the H-BC Education Association out of a field of six nominees. He will now be entered in the Minnesota State Teacher of the year competition."50 years ago (1955)"Five Steen boys were involved in a one-car accident last Friday night while on their way to Jasper to attend the basketball game there between Hills and Jasper. The 1954 Ford, owned by the driver Donald Hoogeveen’s father, Albert, was a very near total wreck, as the car left the road one-fourth mile north of Bly’s Station, on TH23 at 6:45 p.m. Donald Hoogeveen suffered the most severe injuries in the spill, as he received a fractured pelvis bone. …Riding with him were the following, all from Steen: Cornelius and Marvin Elbers, Art Hoogeveen (brother to Donald) and Robert Fick." 75 years ago (1930)"Martin Township got its new snow plow just in time, and by the looks of things will be kept pretty busy."100 years ago (1905)"Seventeen years ago today occurred one of the most famous as well as disastrous blizzards ever experienced in this section of the country. The day had been still and somewhat foggy, and between 4 and 5 o’clock in the afternoon the storm came from the northwest without a moment’s notice except a distant roar which by many was mistaken for the rumbling of a train. There was at the time from 3 to 6 feet of snow on the ground, and many farmers had taken advantage of the still afternoon to go for loads of straw or hay. The schools in session had been dismissed a short time before this, and as a result many lives were lost in the storm while many persons were saved by passing the fearful night in stacks or under wagon boxes."

When the temperature drops below zero four days in a row, you would expect friends, co-workers and the weathermen to be talking about the frigid temperatures and how heating bills are ruining our lives. But no, by the sound of it, spring was in the air.During the cold spell last week I had a handful of conversations about spring. The first was with a co-worker who looks forward to spending time on the patio decks she had built with her husband last summer.Another took place with my 2-year-old niece. She had wanted to play at the park but was explaining she couldn’t do so until spring when the flowers grow. Next, the weatherman was spouting off about how this deep freeze would mean great things when it comes time for budding in the spring. He said this while standing in front of a five-day forecast of single digits. Finally, my husband had at least three conversations this week about our yard and how exciting it is going to be to watch life spring out of the snow upon the next change of season.This is my first winter in Minnesota, but not my first in the Midwest. I understand that we have just started our lengthy dance with the cold clutches of winter. This season is far from over, yet it seems everyone is dreaming of the day they can stop being a prisoner of the furnace.I guess those around me are dealing with winter’s hibernation by focusing on the joy that comes with the rebirth of spring.Personally, I am going to embrace winter, as long as the temperatures are in the double digits — positive double digits. When they fall below, I am content to hide away in my house with my cats, blankets, some cocoa and a good movie trilogy.

Harriet Skattum and Vicki Nelson attended a luncheon Wednesday for former and present medical staff given by Mary Odland at her home. Troy Greenfield, Slayton, spent the weekend in the home of his father, Dean Greenfield. Wednesday evening Ron and Lexia De Wit of Sioux Falls visited in the home of her parents, Cliff and Vi Van Wyhe. Sunday Cliff and Vi visited in the home of Tom and Matthew Van Wyhe in Sioux Falls. Wendell and Kathryn Erickson met their daughter, Kirsten, and her husband, Pat Anderson, and the Andersons’ daughter, Erika, in Sioux Falls for lunch Friday. Erika has graduated from Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif., and was home for a few days. Sheldon and Ellie Sandager returned home Saturday after spending the week at the Sandager ranch at Herrick, S.D.We welcome a new family to Hills. John and Tedra Voss and daughter, Mackenzie, have moved from Sioux Falls and are living in the home of Tedra’s late grandmother, Harriet Faber, at the corner of 4th and Central Ave. Tedra is the daughter of Gene and Audrey De Smet, Hills. John works at Showplace Woodworks in Harrisburg, S.D., and Tedra works in a day-care center in Sioux Falls.