By Sara StrongThe Luverne Planning Commission reviewed a new zone that will give the commission more control in the core of Luverne.A new Downtown Zone will be established if the proposed plan goes through. The City Council must approve it after a recommendation from the Planning Commission and a public hearing.The Downtown Zone would be a square area from East Park Street on the west, Crawford on the north, Blue Mound Avenue on the east, and Fletcher on the south.Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen said the new zone plan will also give the Planning Commission flexibility.In this new zone, to build new or substantially remodel, people must apply for conditional use permits through the Planning Commission.Conditional use permits mean the city can impose specific requirements on the property, from materials used to landscaping.Character and scale of surrounding properties will be strictly considered in the conditional use permitting process.The control of downtown’s appearance was set as a priority during the recent Comprehensive Plan process.The only properties not developed in the proposed Downtown Zone are the former Fledgling Field and parking lots near the clinic.

By Sara StrongThe Luverne Economic Development Authority is looking forward to a possible deal that will bring a Canadian company to Luverne through JOB Zone incentives.City Administrator Greg LaFond said the business is close to making a commitment to come to Luverne.He said, "We’re not anticipating offering a great deal, because there won’t be many employees."The company may employ eight by its second year.Esurance is a company that sells and services car insurance through the Internet and competes with companies such as GEICO and Progressive.It is also planning an office in Sioux Falls.The Luverne branch could be located in the former Exsito building, which is now occupied on a month-to-month lease by Falcon Pallets.LEDA coordinatorThe LEDA coordinator’s job description was also discussed at its Tuesday meeting.Essentially, day-to-day supervision will be done by City Administrator Greg LaFond — similar to what is done with all department heads who answer to him.The LEDA will set direction and manage policies that the coordinator will carry out.

By Sara StrongDiane Sherwood doesn’t want the third anniversary of Sept. 11 to go without recognition for those who died in the terrorist attacks. She also thinks it’s important to continue helping survivors who are still suffering emotionally and physically. "There are cases where these workers are losing lung capacity as time goes on, and cancer cases are increasing. … They first said cancer would show up in 20 years, but they’re getting it now," Sherwood said.She organized Remember Rally, a national motorcycle rally effort that will take place in at least 25 locations — from Alaska to New York to Texas — Saturday afternoon. All of the proceeds from registering for the event go to rescue worker charities."We actually had three planned in Florida, but with the hurricanes, they might not be able to do it," Sherwood said.Locally, the rally starts with registration at the Howling Dog at 11 a.m. From there, bikers will drive down Main Street, Luverne, with local firefighters.People are invited to line Main Street at 12:30 as a show of support when they pass.One of the organizers of a New York run is a firefighter suffering from multiple health problems after working on the World Trade Center disaster site.Sherwood said, "There was a host of chemicals they ingested. So many toxins were released when the buildings burnt."Sherwood’s firefighter friend said he hopes to be strong enough to make the ride this year, but isn’t holding out much hope that he’ll even survive two more years.His insurance company just discontinued his coverage, and he’s on multiple medications."Remember Rally has been an amazing project. You talk to these people and it’s so emotional," Sherwood said.Registration for the event is $10 per rider. From Luverne, bikers will go to Wilmont, Key Largo, Fulda, Bigelow, Ellsworth and back to the Howling Dog for free barbecues and Pepsi.

Taco John’s get new ownerLuverne’s Taco John’s has new ownershipJason Lindblad recently purchased the local Taco John’s franchise from the Bob Latham estate.Latham, who was an active Luverne businessman in Luverne, died suddenly last December.The sale became effective July 23.This is Lindblad’s second Taco John’s franchise. he purchased his first Taco John’s on July 1 of this year.Vets Home sponsors 8th annual Scarecrow FestivalThe Minnesota Veterans Home is making plans for their 8th annual Fall Scarecrow Festival.Last year, individuals, groups and community organizations created more than 30 displays at the Vet’s home, along Highway 75.This year I’m sure they are hoping it will be bigger and better than ever.According to Shirley Connor, Recreation Coordinator for the Home, "there will be no specific theme to follow, just let your imagination run wild."Connor said the residents get a lot of enjoyment out of the displays, and participate in judging the contest.Small prizes are awarded in several different categories.The scarecrows should be set up at the Vet’s home between Sept. 27 and Oct. 3.According to the registration form, each display will be set up by a numbered white flagpole along the driveway.When you register you can get the exact location for your display.When planning your display, you are reminded the displays will be outside during the month of October and could be subject to wind, rain and snow.You may want to keep that in mind when you deciding what materials to use.You are required to remove your display on Nov. 1 and 2.For more information, contact Shirley Connor at 283-1100.Remembering 9/11The United Hands for 9/11 are planning a Remember Rally on Saturday, September 11.Everyone is encouraged to join the Luverne Police Department and the Luverne Fire Department on Main Street at 12:30 p.m.A group of motorcyclists will be escorted down Main Street for the event.As in past years, spectators are encouraged to hold hands in support of those who died on 9/11 and also for those who are now sick from doing cleanup at ground zero.If you would like more information, contact Diane Sherwood at 283-4194.Health care services "only" went up 10.5 percent in 2003This 10.5 percent is the increase in the amount covered by private insurance companies in Minnesota.When I say it "only" went up 10.5 percent, that’s because the year before it went up 15.5 percent.As health care costs continue to increase much faster than income, wages and inflation, 2003 marks the fourth straight year of double digit growth in privately insured health care spending, according to the Minnesota Department of Health.According to Minnesota Commissioner of Health, Dianne Mandernach, health insurance premiums grew by nine percent per person in 2003, the third straight year in which premium growth has slowed, and the slowest rate of growth since 1998.Because spending has been growing faster than premiums for the last two years, private insurance premiums currently are not sufficient to cover cost. Investment income and profits from their lines of business have offset the losses that Minnesota’s health plans have incurred for private insurance carriers, according to Mandernach.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

Choose the bike path instead of aBig Mac on the couchThere’s been significant grumbling in the past year about the wisdom of spending nearly $1 million on Rock County’s bike path during a time of state and local budget crisis.I would argue it’s money well-spent for a number of reasons, but anyone in the North Blue Mound Avenue area Tuesday night could see that the path is at least seeing plenty of use.It was a gorgeous, sunny evening with a hint of fall in the crisp, cool air.It made me smile to see a steady stream of traffic on the Blue Mound Trail, as it’s called. There were bicycles, tricycles, training wheels, inline skates, strollers and plenty of sneakers.The point of the bike path is purely recreational, and state and local governments have long seen community parks and recreation as an obligation worth funding.Outside of its recreational value, though, the path could be saving money for the state through the indirect benefit of promoting healthier lifestyles.It’s no secret that Americans are unhealthier than ever, with smoking and obesity sharing most of the blame for diseases and conditions that are killing us and driving up health care costs.I’ve often wished for laws against both smoking and fast food, since both are costing the entire nation a lot of money.Unfortunately, like most social problems, we can’t legislate them away, but we can approach them on an individual basis and work to "improve our own little corners of the universe."In Rock County’s case, if Tuesday was any indication, the bike path appears to be nurturing healthy behaviors among our own residents.We can’t impose restrictions on Big Macs and too much time on the couch, but we can all take steps to improve our own health – and maybe even inspire one or two others around us.Do we really need a million-dollar bike path to be healthy?No.We can all run laps around our back yards, if we’re really bent on healthy living.But there’s something very inviting about a long, smooth path winding away from the city to a quieter place in the country.If that kind of solitude doesn’t clear our arteries, it will at least calm our nerves. … And less stress, as we all know, leads to better health.On the other hand, there’s also something socially inviting about a wide, paved trail that accommodates a few walkers and strollers at a time.It’s a fun place to see people who I’d rarely cross paths with otherwise, and there’s nothing like a lively conversation to make exercise seem fun and the miles fly by quickly.Keep up the good work, all you on wheels, skates and sneakers. If we can’t affect the national health averages, at least individually, we’ll reap the benefits.

By John RittenhouseThe Labor Day weekend brought three A features and two B feature titles to area racers.Two of the wins came Friday at Rapid Speedway, in Rock Rapids, Iowa, for Adrian’s Mark DeBoer and Luverne’s Robert Carlson.DeBoer’s win came in the late model street stock competition, where he took the feature title after winning the second heat race.Adrian’s Brad Klaassen (second in the second heat and sixth in the feature), Luverne’s Scott Overgaard (fourth in the second heat and third in the feature) and former Rock County resident Darrin Korthals (third in second heat and 10th in the feature) also raced in the street stock class Friday.Carlson won the B feature race in the hobby stock class. Carlson, who placed fifth in the first heat race, went on to place 12th in the feature.Magnolia’s Josh Klay (fourth in the first heat and fifth in the A feature), Magnolia’s Larry Kracht (first in the third heat and third in the A feature) and Kanaranzi’s Colter Deutsch (fifth in the third heat and eighth in the B feature) also raced in the hobby stock class Friday.Klay came up with a feature win during Saturday’s races at Lake County Speedway in Madison, S.D. After placing second in the second heat in the hobby stock division, Klay won the feature title.Former Luverne resident Anthony Mann and Ellsworth’s Greg Roemen won heat races in the sportsman class at Rapid Speedway before placing second and fifth respectively in the feature race.Klay came up with a feature win during Saturday’s races at Lake County Speedway in Madison, S.D. After placing second in the second heat in the hobby stock division, Klay won the feature title.Both Mann and Roemen raced at Lake County Speedway. Mann placed fourth in the third heat, won the B feature and placed 11th in the A feature. Roemen placed second in the third heat and third in the A feature.Luverne’s Overgaard (second in the first heat and fifth in the feature) and Adrian’s DeBoer (first in the second heat and second in the feature) competed in the street stock class in Madison.Luverne’s Mike Steensma won the modified feature event at Nobles County Speedway in Worthington Saturday.Overgaard and Luverne’s Jesse Akkerman raced in the street stock class during Monday’s races at Huset’s Speedway near Brandon, S.D. Overgaard placed fourth in the third heat and third in the feature. Akkerman finished third in the second heat and fourth in the feature.Ellsworth’s Roemen competed in the sportsman class at Huset’s, placing third in the second heat and third in the feature.Magnolia’s Kracht (fourth in the first heat and third in the feature), Luverne’s Cory Schmuck (sixth in the first heat and fifth in the feature), Kanaranzi’s Deutsch (third in the first heat and seventh in the feature) and Magnolia’s Klay (third in the second heat and ninth in the feature) raced in the hobby stock class at Huset’s.Luverne’s Alex Wiese completed a successful season as at Thunder Valley Raceway in Marion, S.D., over the weekend.Wiese, 13, won a track championship in the junior dragster division this year.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne tennis team went 1-2 while playing at a pair of different events since Saturday.The Cardinals lost matches to Redwood Valley and Montevideo during the Redwood Valley Triangular Saturday. LHS beat MACCRAY by three points in Luverne Tuesday.Luverne, 3-2 overall, hosts Brandon Valley today before traveling to Marshall Monday.Luverne 5,MACCRAY 2Strong performances from the singles players carried the Cardinals to victory during Tuesday’s home match against MACCRAY.LHS swept the four singles tilts and went 1-2 in doubles to rise above the .500 mark in match play."Our singles girls played really well," said Cardinal coach Greg Antoine. "All four girls played hard."Samantha Gacke secured 6-3 and 6-2 wins over Melissa Gustafson at No. 1, Alyssa Klein rolled to 6-2 and 6-0 victories over Claire Jaenisch at No. 2, and Nikki Van Dyk posted a pair of 6-3 wins over Amanda Forstrom at No. 3.Kaitlyn Deragisch won a three-set match from Ashley Forstrom at No. 4. After falling 4-6 in the first set, Deragisch won 6-0 in the second set and won a tiebreaker (7-2) for the third set.Luverne’s Brittney Boeve and Andraya Gracke prevailed in a three-set match (6-3, 4-6, 6-2) against Megan Hansen and Stephanie Grussing at No. 1 doubles.MACCRAY’s Amanda Bonnema and Ashley Trulock topped Jessica Klein and Heidi Sandbulte by 7-5 and 7-6 (7-3 in the tiebreaker) scores at No. 2 doubles. Anna Hagameyer and Shannon Hilbrands topped Lindsey Severtson and Katie Kraetsch 7-6 (7-4 in the tiebreaker), 4-6 and 8-6 at No. 3 doubles.RWV triangularThe Cardinals experienced defeat for the first time this season when they traveled to Redwood Falls for a triangular meet Saturday.Host RWV topped Luverne 6-1 in the first match of the day. Montevideo nipped the Cards 4-3 in the finale."I thought Montevideo was a better team than RWV," admitted LHS coach Antoine."I think the girls were a little tired in the first match. We had a long bus ride, and they had a school dance the night before. All of the kids played better in the second match."Samantha Gacke played well all day at No. 1 singles.Gacke topped RWV’s Sam Bouschek 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 in the first match, and posed a 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 victory over Montevideo’s Dijana Vrtar in the finale."Sam had a great day," Antoine said. "She played well in her first match, and played an incredible match against Montevideo. She played six sets of tennis, which is a lot on a hot and windy day."Deragisch, who posted a pair of 6-3 victories against Montevideo’s Jenny Fitcher after falling in straight sets (6-2, 6-3) to RWV’s Caitilin MaGuire at No. 4 singles. Luverne’s third doubles team of Robin Madtson and Amy Herman won by 6-3 and 6-4 scores against Montevideo’s Trisha Baldwin and Tina Flaherty.Alyssa Klein went 0-2 at No. 2 singles. Van Dyk was 0-2 at No. 3 singles.Andraya Gacke and Boeve lost at No. 1 doubles against RWV, and Jessica Klein and Sandbulte fell against the host school.Klein and Boeve teamed up at No. 1 doubles against Montevideo, while Andraya Gacke and Sandbulte played at No. 2. Both LHS teams lost their matches in straight sets.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne volleyball team turned in an eye-opening performance to begin the 2004 campaign in Edgerton Thursday.After being outscored 50-35 in two losses to start the match against Southwest Christian, the Cardinals rallied to secure three straight wins and pull out a 3-2 victory over the E-Gals.According to LHS coach Lori Oechsle, a subtle change in positioning on the floor made a difference in the final three games."We tweaked our lineup a little bit," she said. "We made a few minor adjustments in the third game, and it worked out for us. Thank God."The moves LHS made included moving Cassi Pap from the left-side to the right-side hitting positions, and putting Jessa Dahl on the floor as a middle hitter. Both players made impacts at their respective positions, and SWC did nothing to stop the momentum Luverne gained as the match progressed.Game 3 was tied at four when Luverne went on a 6-1 spurt to take a 10-5 advantage when Maggie Kuhlman recorded one of her team-high 12 kills. The Cards led 17-12 before closing the match with an 8-1 run that gave the visitors a 25-13 victory.Luverne took a two-point lead early in the fourth game and led by four (6-2) when Kimberly Xaisongkham served a point as the game progressed. The Cards extended their lead to seven points (16-9) with an ace serve from Brittney Williams. They still led by seven (21-14) before using a 4-2 spurt capped by a kill from Kuhlman to knot the match at two games each with a 25-16 win.SWC scored the first two points of Game 5 and led 7-6 when the Cards put together an 8-1 run that ended with a kill from Kuhlman to gain a 14-8 cushion. SWC scored the next three points, but another kill from Kuhlman iced a 15-11 victory for LHS.Luverne, which scored the first two points of Game 1, found itself in a deadlock at eight with SWC moments later. The E-Gals then opened a 22-13 lead with a 14-5 surge before the Cards trimmed the difference to five points (24-19) when Pap served a point late in the game. SWC scored the final point to prevail 25-19.The E-Gals led 6-1 early in Game 2 before Luverne closed the gap to three points (10-7) when Birdie Xaphakdy served a point to cap a 6-4 spurt. SWC still led by three points (18-15) when it closed the game with a 7-1 run to notch a 25-16 win.Chelsea Park and Williams charted 12 set assists each for the winners, and Park chipped in five kills. Ashley Heitkamp, Dahl and Pap contributed four, three and two blocks respectively to the cause. Heitkamp was 20 of 22 serving with five aces and 15 points. Xaphakdy, who had five digs,was 18 of 20 serving with one ace and 12 points. Xaisongkham led the Cards with seven digs.

By John RittenhouseThe Luverne Cardinals opened the 2004 season in a promising way by recording a 19-0 home win over New Ulm Friday.Luverne scored 19 points in the first half, which proved to be more than enough offensive support for a team that turned in one of its most impressive defensive performances in recent years.The Cardinal defense limited the Eagles to 96 total yards, recorded five sacks and gave up one first down in the game’s first half. When the contest was complete, LHS coach Todd Oye tipped his hat to the defensive unit."Our defense set the tone with a three-and-out to start the game," said Oye, who registered his first coaching win over New Ulm. "Overall, it was the most complete performance by our defense we’ve had (during Oye’s two-plus year coaching tenure).The LHS defense recorded four straight three-and-out series to start the game and came up with an interception to end New Ulm’s fifth possession of the contest. The Cardinal defense made an early statement by not allowing the Eagles to pick up a single yard during the first three plays of the game.After New Ulm punted the ball, the LHS offense took over on its own 41-yard line before mounting a 59-yard drive consisting of six running plays. The march, which featured runs of 19 and 18 yards by tailback Scott Goebel, ended with quarterback Nick Heronimus scoring on a seven-yard scamper at the 7:59 mark of the first quarter. When Chris Engesser booted the extra point, the Cards sported a 7-0 cushion.Luverne lost the ball on downs and by an interception at the end of its second and third offensive possessions of the game, but the Cards capped the scoring in the game by reaching the end zone twice in the final six minutes of the second quarter.Luverne overcame three penalties during a six-play, 45-yard touchdown drive during its fourth offensive possession of the game. After tossing a 42-yard pass to Derek Johnson that moved the ball to the Eagle 8-yard line, Heronimus scored two plays later on a one-yard plunge at the 5:53 mark of the second quarter. A bobbled snap during the extra-point attempt led to a run that fell short of reaching the end zone, leaving the Cards with a 13-0 cushion.Cardinal defender Jared Pick intercepted a pass two plays into New Ulm’s ensuing offensive possession.The turnover set up an eight-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Heronimus tossing a 37-yard touchdown pass to Brad Herman with 44 seconds left in the first half. The toss for a two-point conversion fell incomplete.Neither team could produce any points in the second half.One interception, one fumbled punt and a missed 25-yard field goal attempt played a role in keeping the Cardinals scoreless in the third and fourth quarters. The LHS defense yielded 81 yards and six first downs in the second half, but it came up with one interception while completing the shutout."Our offense executed pretty well in the first half, but we had a lot of penalties (10 in the game) and made a lot of mistakes after that," Oye said. "It was a typical first game with the mistakes and penalties, but it was a good first step for us. It’s nice to start the season 1-0, and it gives us a good start as far as collecting section playoff points."The Luverne defense will be tested again when the Cards travel to Worthington to take on quarterback Jay Scheidt and the Trojans Friday. Scheidt threw for one touchdown pass and ran for another to lead the Trojans to a 20-12 win over Fairmont last Friday."They have a talented quarterback who set a lot of passing records for them last season," Oye said of the Trojans. "We’ll have to play well in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams) to be successful."Team statisticsLuverne: 174 rushing yards, 144 passing yards, 318 total yards, 11 first downs, 10 penalties for 60 yards, three turnovers.New Ulm: 37 rushing yards, 59 passing yards, 96 total yards, seven first downs, zero penalties, three turnovers.Individual statisticsRushing: Jake Hendricks 9-62, Goebel 10-44, Nate Siebenahler 9-28, Ben Nath 2-13, Heronimus 7-11, Nathan Boler 6-8, Elbers 3-8.Passing: Heronimus 7-13 for 144 yards.Receiving: Herman 2-73, Pick 2-16, Johnson 1-42, Hendricks 2-13.Defense: Tony Willers two sacks, Boler one sack, Siebenahler one sack, Jose Saravia one sack, Herman one interception and one fumble recovery, Pick one interception.