By Lori EhdeLuverne Community Hospital Board of Directors have announced a name and logo for the new hospital and clinic campus under construction on North Highway 75.The hospital will be called "Sioux Valley Luverne Hospital," and the clinic, which is part of the newly constructed building, will be called "Sioux Valley Luverne Medical Center."The new medical campus will open its doors next summer.The name and logo were unveiled during a special ceremony Wednesday morning at Luverne Community Hospital’s current facility.The name reflects a long-standing relationship between Luverne and Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System, according to Steve Perkins, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Sioux Valley is a nationally-recognized health care system known for its innovation, technology, and expertise in caring for patients and families … We believe the new name reflects the kind of healthcare available right here in Luverne, too."The Luverne Community Hospital signed an associate agreement with Sioux Valley in 1996. Four years later, the board decided that it was in the best interest of the hospital to sign an ownership agreement (2000). According to Gerry Carl, CEO of Luverne Community Hospital, the new facility will allow for better healthcare delivery. It is designed for current technology and is wired for additional improvements as needed in the future.He said it’s good to have Sioux Valley as part of the hospital’s name. "It reflects being a part of a medical care organization that has worked with us in keeping healthcare local and that, along with our community, has helped support our new endeavor," he said.Sioux Valley Clinic – Luverne, with a staff of 10 medical providers, will be located in the same newly constructed building. "This will allow for the sharing of services and patient convenience when they or their family member is in need of care," said Clinic Manager, Laurie Jensen.The new names will not be officially used until the new hospital and clinic open."A name change means a lot of paper work for our organization, especially governmental paperwork," Carl said. "Making the announcement today gives us plenty of time to accomplish that prior to our opening. This begins a change process that everyone is excited about and will culminate in the opening of the new hospital late summer of next year."For more information about the hospital and building progress, go to www.luvernecommunityhospital.org.

By Lori EhdeLarry Peterson lost weight to save his life, and now he’s made it his mission to help others do the same.Peterson lost 300 pounds through a practical program of healthy eating and exercise — no tricks — and he’s gaining national celebrity status telling his life story.Peterson, who’s been on Dr. Phil and the CBS Morning Show, will come to Luverne Monday as part of a local diabetes education program.He’ll speak at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in the Blue Mound Banquet Center, Luverne. Peterson battled weight and obesity since childhood, and now he credits a lifestyle change for his weight loss and better health.He calls his presentation "An Approach, An Attitude, A Success Story."Marg Kuiper, a registered dietitian, and Jamie Reisdorfer, a registered nurse, head up the diabetes education program for Luverne Community Hospital and Medical Center.Peterson comes to Luverne as part of that program, but Kuiper said his message is good for everyone."We believe that obesity is one of the underlying problems of some of the major health diseases today," she said.She said obesity can be blamed for heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, joint and back pain and other health problems."Two out of three people in America are overweight, and one out of three is considered obese," Kuiper said.To register for the free presentation and to schedule a free blood pressure and cholesterol check, call Community Education, 283-9191.

By Lori EhdeA 25-year-old Leota woman was airlifted to Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, after her car left the road on Interstate 90 Saturday morning.According to the accident report, Karla Kay Hofkamp lost control of her vehicle about 6:40 a.m. Saturday just west of Luverne.The Minnesota State Patrol report listed her injuries as not life-threatening, but Hofkamp remains hospitalized with a deflated lung."I’ve got a lot of pain, and I still have a chest tube in, but otherwise I’ll be all right," Hofkamp told the Star Herald Tuesday afternoon.She said she doesn’t know when she’ll be released.The report said the vehicle simply "ran off the road" into the median, and Hofkamp’s 1995 Buick Regal was totaled. Hofkamp, who was wearing her seatbelt, said the accident happened when she was distracted by something."I took my eyes off the road for a second, and it all happened after that," she said.Hofkamp was on her way to work at Wal-Mart in Worthington after a trip to Nebraska.

By Sara StrongLuverne’s City Attorney has been asked to meet with attorney Don Klosterbuer to address a possible violation of the city’s land division ordinances that took place in May. City Attorney Ben Vander Kooi and Klosterbuer will discuss whether a real estate transaction complied with city subdivision ordinance.The property at issue involved the late Harvey Ball and his widow Barbara Ball, 107 East Lincoln Street.Barbara Ball was represented privately by Klosterbuer, who was also city attorney at the time of the request.Ball requested that the city allow her to divide her property in order to sell the garage on one side of the property. The city denied the request in April 2003 because the Planning Commission and City Council determined the subdivision would have violated city code. After receiving notice, the property and garage were sold to Al Stroh.Klosterbuer was notified that the city denied the subdivision request by Jeff Haubrich, a lawyer in Klosterbuer’s firm, who was serving as interim city administrator at the time.Klosterbuer said the property was split by decree filed in the Harvey Ball estate, not by deed. Therefore, the transaction wasn’t against what the Council voted.He said, "The transaction was based on what I felt was a reasonable legal position and a permissible course of conduct."A split by decree is not prohibited by the ordinance.The city denied the division request because residential zones don’t allow storage facilities without a primary structure on the parcel.The width of 50 feet and depth of 58 feet violate code requirements, which are 70 feet in width and 100 feet in depth. The total area is 2,900 square feet, when the code requires a minimum of 7,000 square feet.At the time of the subdivision waiver request, it was argued that the property was served by a public road and wasn’t in need of any future planning or development, so a waiver would be reasonable. The Council may waive platting requirements when no development issues are involved.The Luverne City Council brought up the Ball property issue at a recent meeting because other property divisions have come into question.Councilman David Hauge said he was particularly troubled because Klosterbuer wrote city ordinances.In 1992, then City Administrator Steve Perkins and Klosterbuer were concerned about adhering to subdivision policies and procedures. The city sent a letter to the Rock County Recorder and all attorneys and real estate brokers in 1992, reminding them to follow subdivision regulations.

By Sara StrongAs an advising body to the city of Luverne and Rock County, the Pool Commission discussed its future Tuesday. Commission members are concerned because the city and county’s joint powers agreement for the facility expires at the end of the year.The county backed out of the agreement as a retaliation and moneysaving move after the city cancelled its dispatching services agreement. The city has since also cancelled its law enforcement contract with the county.Pool Commission member and County Commissioner Ken Hoime said, "The joint law thing is just holding everything back."He said, "I wish we could sit at the same table and talk. It seems like the walls are built, and it’s too bad."Commission member Damon Eisma said he was worried about employees feeling secure in their jobs. "My concern is that it’s a great facility and a great service, and we need to keep it going. … We don’t want to have to lock the doors Jan. 1," Eisma said. "It is complicated and how will we divide it?"The joint powers agreement says that, after termination, the jointly-owned facility would be split between the two owners — the city and county.To the county, that means the facility and its contents should be assessed or sold and the county would get a check for half the value.The city has said that, considering unfunded depreciation over the years, the county actually owes the city money.There are liability issues for the county if the facility is run by the city while still half-owned by the county when no joint powers agreement is in place.Hoime said, "We’re coming to the end of the year pretty quick."He said his concern for the facility is separate from law enforcement contract controversies with the city."I know this is a good service. I represent a rural area of the county, but I’m pro-city all the way. It’s our county seat. I know we can’t have the facility in Kenneth and I want it to stay."Pool Commission member Bob Kaczrowski is also a Luverne City Council member. He said, "Luverne is a part of the county and sometimes people do forget that. … The bottom line is, two government agencies bought this facility for the good of everyone."Hoime and Kaczrowski will take the issue back to the County Board and City Council to address the issue.New ideas Pool management will bring ideas to the Commission that may encourage more members to pay in full, rather than monthly.Monthly payments are riskier because the accounts can become delinquent, whereas those paid in full require no follow-up. Currently the only incentive to pay in full is a $6 price difference because of no billing fee.Management may offer a free month of membership, a t-shirt or another incentive to encourage full payments.Pool management is also brainstorming for specials during Minnesota Education Association conferences when children are out of school. The Pool and Fitness Center may also have Halloween and Thanksgiving specials or unique activities.

By Jolene FarleyThe Hills City Council is looking for ways to resolve water quality issues that have plagued city residents for months. At a Tuesday meeting they reviewed the steps taken so far to combat the problem.City officials contacted water supplier Rock County Rural Water when the problem with rusty water and sediment began last summer. Rural Water officials attribute the difficulties to the amount of phosphate added to the water to clean and coat water pipes so lead and copper isn’t carried into the water supply. This practice is mandated by the Minnesota Department of Health, according to city employee Wayne Ward. Despite flushing the affected lines and trying to adjust when and how much phosphate is added to the water supply, rusty water is still flowing to city residents.Hills’ problems are confined mostly to the areas of town where cast iron water pipes haven’t been replaced with plastic pipes."There’s more buildup on your cast iron," Ward said.City and Rural Water officials had hoped that, over time, the situation would improve, but it didn’t."What I’m really concerned about is what it’s doing to everybody that’s drinking the stuff," Mayor Jim Jellema said.The Minnesota Department of Health maintains that drinking the water isn’t harmful, according to Ward.Jellema said he was told that phosphate was supposed to break down the build-up to microscopic pieces that would "flow on through."The water flowing out of the taps in Hills has particles floating in it that aren’t microscopic.Jellema wants more information about the effects of drinking the water and a reassurance that the city won’t be liable for any adverse effects."I want that on a piece of paper and I want it signed," he said. "They are going to be responsible for that." The council questioned if the sediment in the water could be damaging residents’ water heaters or plumbing. They wondered how the water quality would be this winter when it isn’t possible to flush water lines."I personally am getting darn tired of it," Jellema said.A representative from the Minnesota Department of Health will be invited to the November meeting.In other business:oThe council appointed Ross Metzger to the seat vacated by Arlen Leenderts. oThe council discussed damage to Josephine Avenue from a crane that was parked on the newly seal-coated street. The city is asking the crane’s owners to pay for the damages.oThe council voted to increase the rate for supervising Sunday open gym at Hills-Beaver Creek High School from $15 to $25 per Sunday.

By Jolene FarleyThe Hills-Beaver Creek School Board reviewed information about the proposed operating referendum at a Tuesday meeting. Voters will visit the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 2, to decide on a proposal that would eliminate the current $229 per pupil unit levy and replace it with a $855 per student unit levy beginning with property taxes payable in 2005.More information will be mailed out to voters this week. "We are obligated to send a letter to all taxpayers," Superintendent Dave Deragisch said. In addition to the mailing and a published legal notice, the board scheduled a public meeting on the issue at the Hugo Goehle Gymnasium for 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 25, with a regular school board meeting to follow. Deragisch reiterated in the mailing that additional funds are needed to maintain basic educational classes and programs in the district. The school cannot possibly cut enough staff and programs to avoid increasing the operating levy, Deragisch writes. The school board approved cuts for the 2004-05 school year to compensate for a loss of revenue, and further cuts would be difficult.Future needs for the district include replacing two school buses and the school van, and repairing the boiler and chimney at the high school.Ramifications if the referendum doesn’t pass could include longer bus routes, loss of technology in the classrooms, elimination of school programs, reduction of classes that are offered, increase in class sizes, loss of staff positions and increases in school fees.For a comparison of district levies, turn to page 2 in the Crescent.Bond reissueThe board accepted a bid from Wells Fargo Brokerage, Minneapolis, to finance the current refunding of the 2006 through 2017 maturities of the district’s $1,950,000 General Obligation Building Bonds from 1997.The interest rates on the new bonds range from 2 to 3.8 percent, compared with rates of 4.9 to 5.5 percent on the existing bonds.This will reduce future debt service payments by an average of $14,252 per year for taxes payable in 2005 through 2017, with corresponding reductions in the district’s property taxes. New personnelThe board approved a $31,727 contract for Bonnie Burkett. Burkett was hired as the school social worker, a joint position between the Hills-Beaver Creek District, the Luverne District and Rock County Mental Health Services.

By Jolene FarleyBrazilian exchange student Sophia Gontijo, 17, arrived in the United States Aug. 28.Gontijo, who is staying with Marilyn Nelson, is adjusting to life in Hills after living in a city of 2.4 million people. She marvels about how everybody knows everybody in the community.She is also adjusting to cultural differences. "In Brazil when you meet your friends, you kiss and hug," she said.Gontijo lives in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, with her parents and two younger brothers. Many extended family members live within blocks of her. Her father is an ophthalmologist."We (family members) go out together all Sundays," she said.She decided to come to the United States in part to learn fluent English. Speaking English makes finding a job easier in Brazil, according to Gontijo. She also wanted to experience life in another country."I wanted to see how it would be in another city," she said.She will return to Brazil in February to start her senior year in high school. To attend college, Gontijo needs to complete her education in Brazil.In her country, the public school system is considered substandard, so graduates don’t continue on to college, according to Gontijo. Her family pays $500 per month per student for her and her brothers to attend a private school.Gontijo hasn’t experienced anything like a Minnesota winter yet. Temperatures in the area of Brazil that she is from never dip below the current Minnesota temperatures."I’ll probably freeze," she said.Gontijo will take many memories of her host family and friends she’s made in Hills back to Brazil. Nelson said she enjoys having the Brazilian as a guest. "I just love having her here. I don’t think I could have gotten a better girl," Nelson said. "It’s a really great experience and I think more people should take a chance and do it."

By Lori EhdeFormer professional wrestler Brock Lesnar grew up in the small town of Webster, S.D., and he told Hills-Beaver Creek students Thursday they can achieve anything if they believe in it. "It doesn’t matter where you’re from," he said. "If you set your goals high enough, you can become whatever you want to be." Lesnar said he’s not a motivational speaker, but he came to H-BC at the invitation of his aunt, Mardi Leuthold, an H-BC teacher’s assistant.Lesnar was an amateur wrestler for the University of Minnesota, where he claimed the NCAA Championship in 2000. From there, Lesnar joined World Wrestling Entertainment, where he was a three-time WWE champion. His latest athletic venture was with the Minnesota Vikings. He spent the 2004 training season with the NFL team but didn’t make the cut this fall. Since then, Lesnar said he’s been hunting and fishing and spending time with his 2-year-old daughter. He lives in Plymouth, a northwest suburb of Minneapolis, and is engaged to be married next August.